Delaware has become the latest state in the United States to legalize cannabis use. On June 30, 2021, Governor John Carney signed a bill that allows adults aged 21 and above to possess up to one ounce of cannabis for personal use. The new law also permits individuals to grow up to six cannabis plants at home for personal consumption.
The legislation, known as House Bill 150, was introduced by Representative Ed Osienski and Senator Trey Paradee. It passed the Delaware House of Representatives in May 2021 with a vote of 24-14 and was approved by the Senate on June 15 with a vote of 13-8.
The new law will take effect on December 15, 2021, and will establish a regulatory framework for the cultivation, processing, and sale of cannabis products. The Delaware Department of Health and Social Services will oversee the implementation of the new law and will be responsible for issuing licenses to cannabis businesses.
Under the new law, cannabis sales will be subject to a 15% tax, with revenue generated from the tax going towards funding education, public health, and social equity programs. The law also includes provisions to expunge past cannabis-related convictions and to provide opportunities for individuals from communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs to participate in the legal cannabis industry.
The legalization of cannabis in Delaware is expected to have a significant impact on the state’s economy. According to a report by the Marijuana Policy Project, legalizing cannabis could generate up to $43 million in tax revenue for the state by 2025. The report also estimates that legalizing cannabis could create over 1,000 new jobs in Delaware.
The legalization of cannabis in Delaware is part of a growing trend across the United States. As of July 2021, 18 states and the District of Columbia have legalized cannabis for adult use, while 36 states have legalized medical cannabis. The legalization of cannabis has been driven by a growing recognition of the plant’s medicinal properties and the failure of prohibitionist policies to curb drug use.
The legalization of cannabis in Delaware is a significant step forward for cannabis reform in the United States. It is expected to provide economic benefits, reduce the harms associated with prohibition, and promote social equity. As more states move towards legalization, it is likely that cannabis will become an increasingly accepted and mainstream part of American society.
- SEO Powered Content & PR Distribution. Get Amplified Today.
- PlatoAiStream. Web3 Intelligence. Knowledge Amplified. Access Here.
- Minting the Future w Adryenn Ashley. Access Here.
- Source: Plato Data Intelligence: PlatoData