Delaware lawmakers renew efforts to legalize cannabis

It's now an annual ritual. Last week, Delaware's Democratic lawmakers introduced two bills «to legalize and create a recreational cannabis industry in Delaware.».

The biggest obstacle to these Democratic representatives is none other than the state's Democratic governor, John Carney, who has long opposed cannabis legalization and who year after year the efforts of his peers to end cannabis prohibition.

Last year, John Carney has vetoed a draft law which would have legalized cannabis in the state. Despite holding a majority in each chamber of the state's General Assembly, Democratic legislators were unable to override the veto.

«Among other things, the legalization bill would have removed all penalties for possession of one ounce or less of cannabis by a person 21 years of age or older and would ensure that there are no criminal or civil penalties for unpaid transfers of one ounce or less of cannabis between persons 21 years of age or older,» Carney said in a statement following his veto.

«I recognize the positive effect cannabis can have for people suffering from certain health problems, and for this reason, I continue to support the medical cannabis industry in Delaware,» he continued. «I supported the decriminalization of cannabis because I agree that individuals should not be imprisoned solely for the possession and private use of a small amount of cannabis-and today, thanks to Delaware's decriminalization law, they are not.»

«That said, I do not believe that promoting or expanding cannabis use is in the best interest of the State of Delaware, especially our youth,» Carney added. «Questions about the long-term health and economic impacts of recreational cannabis use, as well as serious law enforcement issues, remain unanswered.»

Democrats who support the two bills introduced in the State House last week are hoping that Mr. Carney will eventually come around.

«I hope that an open and ongoing dialogue with the governor's office will avoid a veto,» told the Delaware News Journal Democratic Representative Ed Osienski, one of the authors of the legislation. «I have more support from my members (...) for a veto override, but I hope it doesn't come to that.»

According to the news outlet, a «spokeswoman for Carney said Friday that the governor's views on cannabis have not changed.»

According to the Delaware News Journal, The bill to abolish all penalties for possession «would require a simple majority or 21 votes.»

The other bill would «create a framework to regulate the cultivation, sale and possession of weed,» essentially treating weed like alcohol, and would require «a three-fifths vote because it deals with revenue and taxation,» reports the Delaware News Journal.

The measures also include social equity provisions aimed at increasing opportunities in the new cannabis industry for people from communities that have historically been targeted by anti-drug policies.

In the event of legalization, Delaware residents would purchase cannabis from licensed stores. The bill would allow up to 30 retail licenses to be distributed within 16 months of the legislation taking effect.