Delaware Senator Drafting Bill to Legalize Adult-Use Marijuana

Delaware Senator Margaret Rose Henry intends to introduce legislation for recreational marijuana legalization. The bill is planned for introduction to the General Assembly in January of 2017 as the Assembly returns. Senator Henry wrote the state’s medical marijuana bill.

If the bill is approved, adults ages 21 and older will be permitted to use recreational marijuana, according to Delaware Online. At the present time, Senator Henry is working on obtaining sponsors for her bill.

Senator Henry said, “It’s certainly being considered. It’s going to be an uphill battle. But it’s time, quite frankly. It’s time to certainly look at it.”

A committee meets twice annually to discuss law and the state’s medical marijuana program. Marijuana Policy Project has projected that recreational marijuana sales would generate roughly $21 million annually in tax revenues. Those tax dollar projections exclude actual sales totals.

Senator Henry said, “Education is suffering. Revenue from legalizing marijuana could help struggling schools and seniors, among other causes.”

The tax dollars collected from recreational marijuana sales would also help reduce state budget deficits. Regardless of the effects it could have on the Senator’s potential for re-election, she is moving forward with the introduction of her recreational marijuana bill. Improvements and steps forward have already been taken as marijuana possession is decriminalized in the state.

Currently, possession of marijuana results in a civil ticket and a potential $100 fine.