Marijuana task force to begin study on legalization in Delaware

Earlier this year Delaware officials put together The Adult Use Cannabis Task Force in order to study the pros and cons of legalizing marijuana for recreational use in the state. The group met for the first time in August and will deliver their final report to the Governor and General Assembly on Jan. 31, 2018. Many states have already legalized cannabis in one form or another under voter referendums, but Delaware wants to gauge the possible effects of such a program before it happens. In a 2016 poll, over 60% of Delaware voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana, so if the state doesn't legalize, then the voters just might soon enough.

"The General Assembly is ready to take a serious look at regulating and taxing marijuana for adult use,” said Maggie Ellinger-Locke, legislative counsel for the Marijuana Policy Project. “This is an opportunity for a variety of stakeholders to come together and examine every aspect of this issue. We hope it will pave the way for the General Assembly to adopt a more thoughtful approach to cannabis next session. Lawmakers can see the direction the country is moving on this issue and they know most Delaware voters support making marijuana legal for adults.”