I can predict that next year’s General Assembly will be all about education and pot. Why pot?
A majority of Delawareans support fully legalizing marijuana according to a new poll, but the issue’s political future isn’t quite as certain.
56 percent of state residents are in favor of it, compared to 39 percent opposing the issue according to the University of Delaware poll.
State Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South) initially sponsored legislation doing just that without a tax or regulation structure behind it, but it was later amended to simply decriminalize the drug. It passed out of committee late in the session, but never made it to the House floor.
Keeley says the legislature likely isn’t ready to fully legalize pot and that further studies on Colorado and Washington State need to be performed for an informed decision, citing concerns over possible access for minors and predatory marketing initiatives.
That was last year, at the end of last session. I fully expect a Colorado style bill this session, with a a tax and regulation structure behind it. Because if the state can make some money off it, so be it. But legalization will also save taxpayer money in other areas, namely no longer imprisoning non violent possessors of pot.
But not so fast:
Gov. Jack Markell (D-Delaware) has said he would veto such legislation, but is continuing talks over decriminalization.
Markell the buzz kill. Harsh.