Friday Open Thread [10.17.14]

Filed in Delaware by on October 17, 2014

I can predict that next year’s General Assembly will be all about education and pot. Why pot?

A majority of Delawareans support fully legalizing marijuana according to a new poll, but the issue’s political future isn’t quite as certain.

56 percent of state residents are in favor of it, compared to 39 percent opposing the issue according to the University of Delaware poll.

State Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South) initially sponsored legislation doing just that without a tax or regulation structure behind it, but it was later amended to simply decriminalize the drug. It passed out of committee late in the session, but never made it to the House floor.

Keeley says the legislature likely isn’t ready to fully legalize pot and that further studies on Colorado and Washington State need to be performed for an informed decision, citing concerns over possible access for minors and predatory marketing initiatives.

That was last year, at the end of last session. I fully expect a Colorado style bill this session, with a a tax and regulation structure behind it. Because if the state can make some money off it, so be it. But legalization will also save taxpayer money in other areas, namely no longer imprisoning non violent possessors of pot.

But not so fast:

Gov. Jack Markell (D-Delaware) has said he would veto such legislation, but is continuing talks over decriminalization.

Markell the buzz kill. Harsh.

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  1. bamboozer says:

    Decriminalize first, legalize later for the tax revenue it will generate. Markell or not, Delaware’s politicians never met a racket they didn’t love, the question is will they get in on the ground floor or wait too long. Rest assured that all the states have some sort of plan for legalization.

  2. MikeM2784 says:

    Decriminalization without legalization, regulation, and taxation only empowers criminal dealers. I think it is the worst and least logical possible outcome. Markell continues to disappoint….as though his education policies aren’t bad enough.

  3. Bob says:

    Senator Coons

    Now that you have applauded President Obama’s appointment of a Democrat Political operator with no Medical Experience or experience whatsoever in managing anything other than a political message. Please publicly and vocally call on President Obama to impose a quarantine on all the countries that are experiencing an outbreak of Ebola. Please do this as if your Job and life depends on it. Because they do!

  4. Jason330 says:

    The Fow News talking points sure propogate quickly these days.

  5. Bob says:

    So Jason,

    What is false with what I said?
    Go to Senator Coon’s website and read his press release.
    Read Ron Klain’s resume.
    Can’t handle the Facts?
    Next you will be playing the race card and calling people names.

  6. How does Pa. Gov. Corbett attract minorities to his campaign? He photoshops them into his campaign ads:

    http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/Report-Smiling-black-woman-next-to-Corbett-on-his-website-was-Photoshopped.html

  7. Joanne Christian says:

    Too funny DelDem–Education and Pot–guess the 2015 theme can be “Why Do You Think They Call it Dope?” to cover both their bases.

    But a Colorado style bill? I think not. Big business, small tech. etc. on hold for many, thanks to implied, unchartered risk of workplace rights, HR laws etc.. Business is hating the hassle now of “who are your workers?”, where’s the liability? etc., etc..,

    Oh sure—it’s all progressive, and high-fives (no pun intended), and yippee for the hippee now—but the amnesty box is only attractive to the indiscriminate user, vacationer, non-resident now–and the suggestion box is indicating…”uh, that Colorado Springs project is on hold for now….and “we’re re-evaluating expansion in Denver” affecting livelihoods of several of my family members. And believe me, they didn’t educate that long, transfer that far, invest that much in their communities, and buy into the whole micro-tech start-up/health device research fields to watch grants pulled, companies defer, clients walk, leases pulled, backing held, because of the whole uncertain future of a crop and the potential tax money it can bring in.

  8. mouse says:

    Black African Muslims are coming for your white women to steal them away, convert them to Islam and give you ebola. Stay tuned to Fox News