Delaware House defeats cannabis legalization bill despite majority vote

Of Jelena Martinovic

The Delaware House of Representatives on Thursday rejected a bill to legalize and regulate the sale of marijuana, Marijuana Moment reported.

HB 372, which would create a specific regulatory framework for the recreational cannabis market, received 23 yes votes and 15 no votes. However, the bill did not move forward because it did not need to win a three-fifths majority to approve.

Photo by Esther Kelleter/EyeEm/Getty Images

RELATED: Delaware Senate Greenlights Bill Abolishing Penalties for Adult Marijuana Possession

The fundamental bill, HB 371, which requires a simple majority to pass and would allow adults 21 and older to possess and share up to an ounce of cannabis, was sent to the governor’s desk last week.

Both Legislatures are sponsored by Rep. Ed Osienski (D). He opted for a two-pronged approach to reform after a sweeping bill that would have achieved both goals was scuttled when it missed the required three-fifths majority vote on the floor last month.

The legislation “creates the legal framework to license and regulate a new industry that will create high-paying jobs for Delaware residents while striking a blow to the criminal elements who profit from our state’s thriving illegal marijuana market.” ‘ said Osienski.

Oslenski’s efforts are still important

Osienski’s idea that pushing non-commercial legalization through the legislature first would get peers to approve the supplemental law creating a commercial marijuana market was struck down on Thursday.

Realizing that the measure was doomed to fail, Osienski switched his own “yes” to “no” to secure the right to demand another review of the measure.

RELATED: Delaware: Marijuana Legalization Bill Passes House Committee

While Delaware’s cannabis legalization process has been bumpy and complex, it appears to be headed in the right direction.

“It is imperative that HB 371 be signed into law so that the effects of the ban can stop immediately,” said Jax James, NORML’s state policy manager. “Legalizing cannabis possession, creating a regulated market and providing funds from the Justice Reinvestment Funds will begin the process of reversing decades of discriminatory, harmful and fundamentally unfair cannabis laws.”

This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.