Pubdate: Thu, 15 Feb 2018
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2018 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
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Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Randall Chaseae

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION IN DELAWARE FACING STAUNCH OPPOSITION

DOVER, Del. -- A task force studying issues surrounding marijuana
legalization in Delaware is wrapping up its work, but it remains
unclear whether there is enough support among state lawmakers to
legalize recreational pot use.

The task force issued a draft report Wednesday and plans to present a
final report Feb. 28.

Rep. Helene Keeley, a Wilmington Democrat who is co-chair of the task
force and chief sponsor of a stalled legalization bill, said the bill
would be amended to address some of the concerns raised during
task-force meetings. The panel has discussed a variety of issues,
including law-enforcement concerns, taxation and banking, consumer
safety, and local authority and control.

Advocates argue that legalization will eliminate the stigma associated
with marijuana use, decrease criminal activity associated with black
market sales, and raise revenue for the state.

But the legalization proposal faces staunch opposition from a variety
of groups, including law enforcement officials, the state chamber of
commerce, health industry workers and AAA Mid-Atlantic, which says it
will lead to more highway deaths.

Business interests, meanwhile, remain concerned about workplace safety
and the ability of employers to prohibit pot smoking by employees.

William Lynch Jr., a hospital pharmacist and adviser to an advocacy
group called atTAcK addiction, said marijuana legalization will lead
to increased substance abuse and make the opioid epidemic worse.

Lynch said studies suggest that prolonged marijuana use leads to other
drugs, increases the risk of addiction, leads to a variety of physical
and mental health problems and increases the risk of deaths and
injuries in car crashes.

"When all of these things begin to happen in Delaware if the bill
passes, the blood will be on your hands," Lynch warned lawmakers.

Keeley nevertheless maintained that supporters of legalization are
only a few votes shy of the number needed in the legislature to pass a
bill.

"I'm very hopeful that the recommendations from the task force along
with the amendment will clarify those questions that individual
members have and we can move forward," she said.

But even if a bill were to pass the General Assembly, it's unclear
whether legalization would ever happen, given Democratic Gov. John
Carney's doubts about the proposal.

"Gov. Carney does not believe now is the time to move forward with
legalization," spokesman Jonathan Starkey said in an email Wednesday.
"The governor does not believe that Delaware should be a test case,
and should instead continue to monitor implementation in other states."

While Carney has not directly threatened to veto a legalization bill,
Starkey noted that the U.S. Department of Justice created significant
uncertainty around the enforcement of federal drug laws in states that
have legalized recreational marijuana. Last month, Attorney General
Jeff Sessions rescinded an Obama-era policy that generally barred
federal law enforcement officials from interfering with marijuana
sales in states where pot is legal.

As currently written, the legislation sponsored by Keeley would not
allow Delawareans to grow their own marijuana but would legalize
possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for personal use by adults
over age 21. Initial licensing would be limited to 40 retail stores
and 75 cultivation facilities.

Nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational
use of marijuana, the most recent being Vermont, which last month
became the first state in the country to authorize recreational use by
an act of a state legislature.
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