Almost arrived! Delaware lawmakers send legalization bill to governor

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Come on, Delaware, you can do it!

Earlier this afternoon, May 12, the Delaware Senate voted 13-7 to send Adult legalization bill To Governor John Carney’s office. Carney, as an outright taboo, can still veto the bill and return it to lawmakers.

While the bill, HB371, removes all penalties for possession of up to one ounce of cannabis, it does not establish a regulatory framework for the state-licensed adult use market. Among the advocates of legalization are those in separate invoice Hope to pass soon.

“The governor has expressed some concerns about this issue in general, and the reality for us as legislators is that we have to make these decisions in a slightly turbulent place here,” She said Senator Kyle Evans Gay (Democrat) on the Senate floor earlier today.

In Delaware, Democrats control the governor’s office and both houses of the state legislature, but Governor Carney disagreed with his party on the issue of legalization.

what happened after that?

Governor Carney has 10 days to veto the legislation. If he decides to veto the bill, it will go back to the state legislature.

However, at this point, lawmakers will likely override the veto. They would need a two-thirds majority to do so.

If HB371 becomes law, the conversation will move to HB372Regulatory framework bill. Legalization advocates hope that by splitting the legalization of cannabis into two bills – HB371 and HB372 – they will force their opponents’ hand: Otherwise, if they only pass the first law, the state will be stuck in legal weed with no regulatory framework.

This fact was not lost on opponents of the bill during today’s Senate vote.

“We might also call this ‘encouragement of illegal behavior,’” said Senator Colin Bonini (right). “Because where are you going from? [cannabis]? drug dealer.”

Since HB371 allows up to 1 ounce of cannabis to be transported without compensation, it is effective Legalization of the “gift” market—Free marijuana with the purchase of a token item or piece of art.

If the regulatory bill is not passed in the next 10 days, Carney could veto HB371 to eliminate the possibility of an unregulated market.

Delaware has already decriminalized marijuana possession, in 2015.

Stay tuned for more information on legalizing cannabis in Delaware.