Delaware House lawmakers on Tuesday approved legislation that would help minimal cannabis possession and use-by adults like a parking citation, substituting criminal offenses with civil fines.
The bill passed the House by a favorable 24-14 decision for the decriminalization of marijuana, now heads to the Senate. Gov. Jack Markell is in full support of the bill. However, not one House Republican voted in favor of the legislation this past Tuesday.
Some of the competition stated decriminalization potentially could sway drug dealers working within the black market. Various people have said it could stop law enforcement from acting on crucial searches on suspicion of minimal cannabis possession.
Under language added by an amendment, citizens of Delaware under the rightful age of 18 would still encounter criminal offenses for possessing cannabis. People ranging from 18 to 21 would encounter criminal offenses upon their second apprehension from the law.
That difference in legislation caused angst between the bill’s opponents and its advocates, who questioned why minors would be dealt with differently han adults when busted with marijuana.
“I do have concerns that what we are doing is taking our most vulnerable population … and treating them the most harshly,” Lisa Minutola, chief of legal services for the Delaware Public Defender’s office, stated.
The legislation would only ask for $100 civil penalties on adults caught with up to 28 grams of cannabis or individuals discovered using pot privately. Law enforcement may very well in fact still confiscate the cannabis when imposing a civil offensive.
Though selling cannabis will stay a criminal offense
MAPH Enterprises, LLC | (305) 414-0128 | 1501 Venera Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | new@marijuanastocks.com
