en A move to legalize marijuana for recreational use may get under way next year.
The News Journal reported that State Sen. Margaret Rose-Henry, D-Wilmington, said the state should take a look at legalization. She made her remarks at a meeting of a committee that oversees the state’s medical marijuana legislation, the newspaper and website reported.
Henry conceded that passing the legislation would be an uphill battle.
No nearby state has legalized pot. The nearest area where recreational use of small amounts is legal is Washington, D.C.
At the same time, some states have voted on the ballot calling for legalization. An OK for the vote in large states would speed up momentum for legalization.
Marijuana has been legal in Colorado since 2014 and has raised large amounts of tax revenues. Those dollars are being eyed by legislators in Delaware and elsewhere who have seen sluggish tax revenues since the recession of 2009.
The issue of the state becoming a marijuana haven is borne out by the experience of neighboring Kansas. The attorney general in that state is complaining about marijuana now being widely available, thanks to its neighbor to the west.
Gov. Jack Markell has stated that the drug would not be legalized during his term in office, which ends in January.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Colin Bonini has indicated that the state might as well legalize marijuana after legislation was passed that decriminalized possession of small amounts of the drug
Delaware also has an active group that has been pushing for legalization.
On a related note, neighboring Pennsylvania and Maryland are moving forward with medical marijuana dispensers and growing centers.
Delaware was an early adopter of medical cannabis. However, a center near Wilmington did not open until last year, due to conflicting signals from the Obama administration over its stance on medical marijuana. A growing and dispensing center has been approved for Kent County.
The Obama administration has since indicated it will not battle legalization efforts.
Presidential candidates have been relatively quiet on the issue. New Jersey Gov. and University of Delaware graduate Chris Christie chose to oppose legalization efforts in his short-lived presidential effort.
