A recreational marijuana legalization bill may be on its way to a House vote.
The House Appropriations Committee released House Bill 305 by “walking the bill” — a process that occurs when a majority of the committee members sign a document to release a bill for further consideration, according to a release from House Republicans noted.
The maneuver does not require a committee hearing or public notice. House Bill 305 had earlier received a hearing in the House Health and Human Development Committee.
The bill calls for a number of “social equity” licenses to be issued. A portion of tax proceeds would go to disadvantaged communities affected by the “war on drugs” that often punished minorities more severely than white defendants. Equity license holders can have a previous marijuana-related offense on their record, other than selling to a minor.
The bill still faces an uphill fight, since it requires a 60% vote, due to the fact that it raises tax revenue.
Gov. John Carney has expressed no enthusiasm for previous legalization bills.
