The Delaware State News summed up the situation facing a group studying the legalization of marijuana with the following headline.
Dazed and confused: Marijuana task force meeting adjourns in controversy, disarray
The outcome was not surprising. The task force is comprised of members with views that range from strong support to strong opposition.
Also hanging over any legalization effort is opposition to both medical marijuana and full marijuana legalization from U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
In January, Sessions repealed an Obama Administration policy that seemed to clear the way for both medical marijuana and full legalization.
Now, even medical marijuana could be under attack without the protection of what was known as the Cole Memo.
However, the Regulated Substances Practice Group of the law firm of Eckert Seamans stated in a late January report that a crackdown by the Justice Department does not seem on the immediate horizon.
The Eckert Seamans report says the state could realize $22 million in tax revenue from legalization, but noted medical marijuana implementation was delayed for years, due to concerns about legal issues.
However, the passage of full legalization would require supermajority from the General Assembly and the OK from a governor known for his cautious approach. The State News reported that Gov. John Carney leans toward seeing how other states fare with legalization before jumping into the fray.
On the other hand, six in 10 Delawareans favor legalization and if Delaware had initiative and referendum the state might be on its way to legalization.
Here’s to a good weak and light winds. The newsletter returns tomorrow. – Doug Rainey, publisher.
