Cannabis Decriminalized in Delaware

Last month, Delaware made history when the state decided to
decriminalize cannabis use and overturn archaic prohibition laws.

According to USA
Today, the Senate gave approval to decriminalize cannabis when it comes
to possession and private use of small amounts. Immediately after the Senate
vote, Governor Jack Markell signed the bill into law..

The bill was sponsored by Democratic representative Helene
Keely, and under it, citizens of Delaware can possess and use up to an ounce of
cannabis without being treated as criminals. Instead, they will only have to
pay a $100 fine.

There are still some downsides here: the bill won’t go into
effect until January, selling cannabis and possessing over an ounce is still a
federal crime and party lines were not shaken up at all for this vote; no
Republicans voted in favor of decriminalization. The new law was also opposed
by police groups in the state.

“This is a vote we’re going to really, really regret,”
Colin Bonini, a Republican Senator, told USA
Today. “Would you want your kid smoking weed? I think the answer is
overwhelmingly no.”

Still, this is a far cry from where the state was before in
regards to cannabis laws. Additionally, those who are afraid of this new
legislation can be assuaged by the fact that the law still prohibits smoking in
any public areas, which includes anywhere outdoors that is ten feet from a
window or sidewalk.

“I’ve said for some time that we’re generally
supportive of possession of small amounts being treated as a civil rather than
a criminal offense,” State Attorney General Matt Denn told USA Today. While some are still wary of this recent change in
policy, time and sensible use will surely show them that the end of prohibition
and the beginning of a new era is a good thing for the state and the nation as
a whole.