Due to a flurry of last minute additions and amendments, the anticipated Delaware House vote on legalizing recreational cannabis did not materialize on Thursday.
The legislation’s lead sponsor, Representative Ed Osienski (D-Newark), released the following statement regarding House Bill 150. The bill will no longer be considered on the House’s agenda.
“House Bill 150 is an extremely important piece of legislation with many complicated moving parts,” Osienski said. “In recent days, a number of amendments have been filed by myself and other legislators that would make significant changes to the bill as written. Accordingly, my colleagues and I need time to consider the implications of these various amendments before bringing the bill to the House floor for a vote. This is one piece of legislation that we have to get right, and I encourage my fellow legislators, advocates, and supporters of the bill to please be patient as we continue to work toward the goal of legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use in Delaware.”
Initially, House Bill 150 would let people 21 years or older buy up to an ounce of cannabis from a licensed seller. Before getting to a floor vote, it was amended eight times since being introduced in March.
The legislation also calls for smaller players to get early preference in getting sales licenses.
While not offering specifics, Delaware Governor John Carney said that he was unhappy with some aspects of the bill. He stopped short of vowing to veto the measure, but added that he is concerned about the health aspects of cannabis legalization.
Carney also took note of efforts as Lieutenant Governor in dealing with the state’s high rate of cigarette smoking.
The cannabis bill has entrenched opposition from elements in law enforcement, the medical community, and the corporate medical cannabis industry that want first dibs on selling recreational weed.
Delaware is also grappling with the experiences of states that ranged from little regulation in Oregon to corporate cannabis gaining the advantage in California.
