Today, Gov. John Carney (D) became the first Democratic governor to veto a cannabis legalization bill by vetoing HB 371 — a bill that would legalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older in Delaware. Meanwhile, a supermajority of Delawareans support cannabis legalization.

Yesterday, HB 372 – a bill that would legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales in the state – fell short of the needed 25 votes. Notably, the bill sponsor, Rep. Ed Osienski (D), changed his vote from yes to no, which will allow him to have the bill reconsidered before the legislative session ends on June 30. The final vote count was 23-15 with two absences (one of whom is a cosponsor of the bill).

Good news! The effort to legalize cannabis for adults in Delaware this year is not over. After a comprehensive legalization bill — HB 305 — failed to get a three-fifths supermajority on the House floor in March, Rep. Ed Osienski (D) has taken a new two-track approach and introduced two separate cannabis bills — HB 371 and HB 372.

Exciting news! Rep. Ed Osienski (D) has just introduced HB 305, a bill that would make cannabis legal for adults 21 and older, replacing prohibition with a system of regulation that focuses on public health and equity.

Last year, two Delaware House committees approved HB 150 — a bill to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults. However, the legislature adjourned without further action on the bill. Rep. Ed Osienski, sponsor of HB 150, plans to introduce a revised version of the bill again, with the aim of passing it this year.

This Thursday night, the Delaware Cannabis Policy Coalition is holding a virtual town hall to respond to concerns around cannabis legalization. Mark your calendars, and we hope you will join us!

Exciting news! Today, Rep. Ed Osienski introduced his highly anticipated legalization bill — HB 150. The bill would legalize possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 and older, allow for mandatory expungement of past cannabis possession convictions, and promote equity and inclusion in the legal industry from communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition.

This Thursday night, the Delaware Cannabis Policy Coalition is holding a virtual town hall to discuss the economic impact of cannabis legalization. Mark your calendars, and we hope you will join us!

This Wednesday night, the Delaware Cannabis Policy Coalition is holding a virtual town hall to discuss the intersections of cannabis legalization, racial justice, and social equity. Mark your calendars, and we hope you will join us!

There is increasing momentum for Delaware to move forward with legalization this year. Several seats were flipped in the General Assembly last November, and there are now 15 states — including Delaware’s neighbor, New Jersey — that have legalized cannabis for adults. Rep. Ed Osienski, sponsor of the 2020 legalization bill, plans to introduce a bill again this session.