Advocates are optimistic. Lawmakers worry there is just not enough legislative support. The First State was among the first on the East Coast to weigh legalization for adult use. But last year, legalization came up short four “ayes.” The latest version of the bill, HB 110, advanced from the House Revenue and Finance Committee last […]
Delaware
Marijuana legalization bill clears first legislative hurdle in Delaware
A bill to legalize marijuana in Delaware cleared its first legislative hurdle Wednesday, with the House Revenue and Finance Committee voting after a two-hour hearing to release the measure for consideration by the full House. It’s being touted as a revenue-generating measure, calling for a government-run industry that would create jobs while padding state coffers […]
Delaware lawmakers reintroduce bill to legalize marijuana
Democratic lawmakers are again proposing to legalize marijuana in Delaware after a failed effort last year. The bill introduced Thursday is aimed at eliminating the black market for pot by establishing a state-licensed industry that would create jobs while padding state coffers with licensing fees and taxes. “We want to create a legal industry that’s […]
Delaware doctors could get wider ability to prescribe marijuana
Doctors would have wider discretion to prescribe marijuana to patients under a proposal before the General Assembly. Medical marijuana cards are only issued now when a doctor certifies that a patient has a specific “debilitating medical condition,” caused by one of a list of illnesses. That list includes chronic conditions like cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and HIV. It also […]
Delaware bill allowing industrial hemp farming now law
A measure to legalize marijuana was not passed the last legislative session, but a bill paving the way for industrial hemp and another bill allowing for the expungement of marijuana-related convictions were. Gov. John Carney has recently signed them both into law. During a two-day, bill-signing extravaganza, Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, Carney signed 29 […]
Marijuana possession expungement bill becomes law in Delaware
Simple possession of marijuana was decriminalized in Delaware nearly three years ago. Gov. Carney signed a bill Wednesday allowing those charged with marijuana possession as a criminal offense prior to 2015 to have their criminal records expunged— or cleared. State Sen. Greg Lavelle sponsored the legislation along with State Rep. Valerie Longhurst. Lavelle says expungement […]
Bill To Legalize Marijuana In Delaware Fails In House
Delaware will not become the 10th state to fully legalize marijuana — at least not this year. The House on Wednesday defeated a bill that would have created a taxable industry dedicated to the production and sale of legal cannabis. The measure fell four votes shy of the 25 needed to move the bill to the state Senate. The final […]
More Legislative Activity for Legalization Puts Prohibition Enforcement in Doubt
With California set to completely rock the industry with recreational legalization beginning in January, that state and others are beginning to up the anty when it comes to testing the waters of full and complete legalization. The California state legislative body recently created a joint resolution calling for Congress to reschedule cannabis, which would basically […]
Delaware Cannabis Advocates Turn Out For Roundtable With Governor
A majority of Delawareans are in support of legalizing marijuana, according to one poll, but Gov. John Carney remains opposed. About 100 people gathered Wednesday for a “roundtable discussion” on House Bill 110, a proposal that would regulate, tax and legalize cannabis, or marijuana. The bill would make Delaware the ninth state to allow recreational […]
Delaware’s First Legal Marijuana Bill to Be Announced Today
Delaware’s first bill to legalize recreational marijuana is expected to be unveiled today. The draft legislation reportedly would allow state residents 21 and older to purchase up to an ounce of cannabis from dozens of stores authorized to sell the drug, which is now limited only to patients enrolled in the state’s medical marijuana program. […]
Marijuana Legalization Bill to Be Introduced in Delaware
A bill legalizing marijuana for Delaware adults is expected to be introduced in January when the General Assembly reconvenes, the Senate majority whip said. Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington, who penned Delaware’s medical marijuana bill, said she will propose a bill that would legalize marijuana for Delawareans 21 and older. Henry said the bill has […]
Decriminalization Comes to Delaware: Here’s What You Need to Know
This week, a bill decriminalizing the possession and use of small amounts of marijuana takes effect in Delaware – and with it comes questions. Here is what you need to know: When does marijuana decriminalization begin? The law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday – exactly six months after Gov. Jack Markell signed House Bill 39 into law. […]
Delaware Governor Signs Bill to Decriminalize Cannabis Possession
DOVER, Del. — Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation Thursday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana in Delaware. Markell signed the bill privately in the presence of its primary sponsors shortly after it passed the Democrat-controlled Senate on a straight party line vote. “The governor remains committed to reducing the number of people entering the […]
Delaware’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Scheduled to Open June 26
Delaware’s first medical marijuana dispensary will open on June 26, more than four years after lawmakers and Gov. Jack Markell first legalized pot for medicinal use. The First State Compassion Center, located at 37 Germay Drive outside of Wilmington, will open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on June 26. Patient orientations are planned for […]
Marijuana in Wonderland: Making Sense of a Judge’s Anti-Cannabis Ruling
By Barry Gainsburg “When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’ ” — Lewis Carroll, from Through the Looking Glass Last week, the U.S. District Court in Northern California declined to declare the federal classification of marijuana […]
Delaware Gov. Markell On Legal Weed: “Not Gonna Happen”
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell says marijuana won’t be legalized here while he’s governor, saying “we’ve got a lot more to learn” about the effects of full legalization on states. “I’m certainly willing to look at the decriminalization aspect. I am not in support of doing what they’ve done in Colorado or Washington state or a […]
Delaware marijuana decriminalization bill introduced
Delawareans caught with an ounce or less of marijuana would face just civil fines, not a criminal record, under decriminalization legislation introduced Thursday by a Wilmington lawmaker in the state House of Representatives. Rep. Helene Keeley, the south Wilmington Democrat, said state residents should not have trouble getting a job, or finding financial aid for […]
Del. may be on road to legalizing marijuana
The marijuana reform movement has reached Delaware. Lawmakers will consider the intermediate step of decriminalization next year following the legalization of pot in Oregon, Alaska and Washington D.C. Legislation drafted by Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington, would replace criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, with fines similar to those for speeding or running […]
