Delaware adult-use marijuana bill to face vote in the Senate this week

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The state’s lawmakers are ready to tackle a sensitive subject among voters

Marijuana for recreational use has been expanding in several states in the country. Delaware has tried to join that trend in past years, but so far, there has not been legislature (especially the governor’s discretion) open to the issue. There are two new bills that seek to welcome this market and are expected to be voted on by the state Senate.

Tomorrow’s vote could be seen as the most important so far for the new legislative session. Depending on the outcome, lawmakers will have to arm themselves for another fight with Governor John Carney. After years of missed votes and a few failed attempts, the House passed these measures in early March.

One bill creates and regulates a recreational marijuana industry. At the same time, the other legalizes the “personal use amount” of marijuana, which varies depending on the form of cannabis, for people 21 and older. Legislation seeking something similar last year passed both the House and Senate. However, it was blocked by Carney’s veto, a decision that was intended to be overturned by the House but did not happen.

It will now be the first time that the Senate will open debate on regulatory legislation, which requires a three-fifths vote. The measure failed to find success last year in the House after a key lawmaker missed the vote due to illness. With the Senate being led overwhelmingly by Democrats, both bills are expected to receive the green light. Many are also watching to see what Republicans have to say, as neither party voted for the legalization bill in 2022.