Del. House Committee Passes Marijuana Regulation Bill

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The Delaware House Committee on Revenue and Finance voted 9-2 in favor of HB 110, a bill to tax and regulate cannabis like alcohol. The bill now heads to the full House where it needs a three-fifths majority to advance to the Senate.

HB 110 would allow adults age 21 and over to purchase up to one ounce of cannabis at state-licensed dispensaries. A new Division of Marijuana Control and Enforcement would oversee the program and ensure compliance. You can read MPP’s complete summary of the bill here.

MPP’s Maggie Ellinger-Locke released…

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Bill to Regulate Marijuana Introduced in Delaware

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After years of advocacy on the part of MPP and our local partners, Delaware Rep. Helene Keeley and Sen. Margaret Rose Henry introduced HB 110, the Delaware Marijuana Control Act. The bill seeks to legalize and regulate cannabis for adults 21 years of age or older. The marijuana tax revenue would be used to fund education, public health campaigns, and to support re-entry campaigns for ex-offenders, among other programs.

An October 2016 poll by the University of Delaware found that 61% of state residents favor this important policy change….

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Delaware Activist Training Event in Wilmington on Dec. 10

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When the Delaware Legislature’s 2017 session begins on January 10, reformers expect lawmakers to take a serious look at ending cannabis prohibition. In order to move this important issue forward, we need to grow our team of effective advocates. That’s where you come in!dcpc_logo_348
Please join the Marijuana Policy Project on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Wilmington Public Library for an activist training to sharpen your citizen lobbying skills! RSVPs are not required, but they are appreciated — you can do so here.

We have lots to…

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Election Day Voter Guides

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Today is the day! This is the biggest election in marijuana policy reform history, but even if you can’t vote on a legalization or medical marijuana ballot initiative today, you could play an important part to make future progress possible in your state.logo-mpp-286-mpp-and-we-change-laws

Before you vote, please check out MPP’s voter guides if you live in the following places:

Delaware

District of Columbia

Illinois

Nebraska

New Hampshire

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Vermont

And don’t forget to tell your friends in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine,

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Delaware Names Second Medical Cannabis License Winner

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Delaware has revealed the winner of the state’s second medical cannabis business license, and officials said they hope to announce the name of the company that will receive the third and final permit by the end of the year.

Multi-state MMJ force Columbia Care will receive the second licensee to grow and dispense medical marijuana in Delaware, where cannabis businesses must be vertically integrated. Columbia Care already has operations in California, Arizona, Massachusetts, Illinois, New York and Washington DC.

License Directory SidebarThe company said in a news…

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Delaware Now Allows Medical Marijuana on School Grounds

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Delaware Now Allows Medical Marijuana on School Grounds

Governor Jack Markell signs bills to allow medical marijuana use on school grounds; allow those with terminal illness access to medical marijuana

DOVER, DE — Governor Jack Markell has signed legislation into law permitting qualified patients access to medical cannabis formulations while on school grounds.

Senate Bill 181 permits a caregiver to administer cannabis extracts to a patient “in a school bus and on the grounds or property of the preschool, or primary or secondary school in which a minor qualifying patient is enrolled.”

The law…

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Medical Cannabis Research Growing But Hurdles Remain

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Scientific Research - Stock Image

By Omar Sacirbey

Scientific researchers are increasingly interested in studying the medicinal properties of cannabis, and breakthroughs have been achieved that could lead to additional uses for medical marijuana.

The moves could bolster the MMJ industry and boost sales. But marijuana’s status as a federally prohibited Schedule 1 drug remains a serious obstacle to research.

That status undermines the medical community’s acceptance of marijuana, which is crucial for the MMJ industry to thrive. Dispensaries depend on doctors to write…

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Delaware Gets 11 Applications for Two Licenses

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Delaware has received 11 applications for its final two medical marijuana dispensary licenses, according to a spokeswoman for the state’s health department.

Officials expect to announce winners in August.

The state is not allowed at this time to reveal details about the applicants, but a spokeswoman said some groups applied for a license in both Kent County and Sussex County.

The state charges an application fee of $5,000, and winners will have to pay a licensing fee of $40,000.

Under…

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Cannabis Industry Newbies, Veterans Kicking the MMJ Tires in Delaware

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By Omar Sacirbey

The race for Delaware’s two remaining medical marijuana licenses is heating up, but it’s hard to say exactly how hot it will get.

Nearly 50 executives, professionals and entrepreneurs representing 29 entities attended a “pre-bid” meeting in Wilmington, the state’s largest city, this week. 

Delaware officials held the meeting to cover some ground rules of the licensing and application process, as well as answer questions from those in attendance.

The meeting –…

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ASA Releases New Report on State Medical Marijuana Programs

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With the release last year of the first detailed analysis and comparison of state medical marijuana laws, Americans for Safe Access (ASA) created a patient-focused tool to identify effective programs and problem areas. That groundbreaking report was followed by the release of ASA’s new, far more detailed report on state programs, which reflects the many new states that have added programs as well as others that have improved their existing programs.

Like the original report, this latest white paper enables advocates, policy makers and…

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ASA Report Evaluates Medical Marijuana Programs Nationwide

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ASA Report Evaluates Medical Marijuana Programs Nationwide

Patient Advocates Hope Report will Help State Legislators “Make the Grade” in 2016

WASHINGTON, DC — Americans for Safe Access (ASA) issued “Medical Marijuana Access in the US: A Patient-Focused Analysis of the Patchwork of State Laws,” on Tuesday. The annual report evaluates the array of differing state medical cannabis programs across the country from a perspective often overlooked in policy debates: the patients’ and provides policy makers with model legislation and regulations. With dozens of states already seeing legislative…

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Delaware’s Medical Marijuana Industry Gearing Up for Expansion

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By Omar Sacirbey

Big changes are on tap for Delaware’s tiny medical marijuana industry.

State officials recently decided to award two additional medical marijuana dispensary licenses, acknowledging that the market is robust enough to support more than the one storefront currently operating. 

The decision to issue more licenses – which emerged about six months after the state’s first dispensary opened – surprised some observers who thought Delaware would be slow to expand the…

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Delaware Decriminalization Law Takes Effect Today

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Delaware’s marijuana decriminalization law officially takes effect today, making Delaware the 19th state in the nation to remove the threat of jail, a punishment far too severe for simple marijuana possession.

Under the new law, the possession or private use of one ounce or less of marijuana will no longer trigger criminal penalties or create a criminal record for adults over 21 years of age. Instead, it will be a civil violation punishable by a $100 fine. Adults between the ages of 18 and 20 will face the same…

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Delaware Marijuana Decriminalization Law Takes Effect

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DOVER, DE — Legislation signed into law last June decriminalizing marijuana possession offenses took effect at midnight Friday.

House Bill 39 reclassifies the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis by those age 21 and over from a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a criminal record, to a civil violation punishable by a $100 fine only — no arrest, and no criminal record.

Those between the ages of 18 and 21 may still face criminal charges, but only if it is their second or subsequent offense.

The new law…

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Delaware Marijuana Decriminalization Law to Take Effect Friday

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Adult possession of a small amount of marijuana will become a civil violation punishable by a fine; Delaware will be the 19th state in the nation to remove the threat of jail for simple possession

DOVER, DE — Marijuana decriminalization legislation adopted earlier this year in Delaware will officially take effect on Friday, making it the 19th state in the nation to remove the threat of jail for simple marijuana possession. A 20th state, Missouri, has a similar law on the books that goes into effect in 2017.

“Delaware’s marijuana policy…

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Delaware to Increase Patient Access Next Year

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On December 2, the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services issued a request for proposals for two new medical marijuana compassion centers, one in Sussex and another in Kent County. The announcement comes six months after the state’s first center opened in Wilmington in June. The new dispensaries are scheduled to open in the fall of 2016.

The addition of two centers will help to better meet the needs of Delaware patients and will reduce the distances they have to travel. Currently, one dispensary serves…

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Delaware Adds Autism to Medical Marijuana Qualifying Conditions

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Over the weekend, the November 2015 issue of the Delaware Register of Regulations was published, expanding the legal protections of the state’s medical marijuana act to reach more individuals. The published regulations officially added “autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior” to the list of conditions, giving doctors one more treatment option should they think it would benefit their patients.

The condition was added after a petition to do so was submitted to the Department of Health and Social…

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Delaware: First State’s First Medical Marijuana Dispensary to Open Friday

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WILMINGTON, DE — After nearly four years and numerous delays, access to medical marijuana is coming to Delaware on Friday when the state’s first medical marijuana dispensary will open its doors to qualified medical marijuana patients.

First State Compassion Center, located in an industrial park on the outskirts of Wilmington, will open its doors at 10:30 am Friday, marking the first time the state’s estimated 340 medical marijuana patients will have safe, legal access to medical marijuana.

Medical marijuana patients are currently protected from prosecution for possessing cannabis, but can not grow their own and must purchase marijuana on the black market.

“Although we have been frustrated by the glacial pace of implementation, we are thrilled that Delaware’s qualified…

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Delaware Becomes 20th State to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession

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Last week, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signed HB 39 into law, making it the 20th state to decriminalize — or in four cases, legalize — possession of personal use amounts of marijuana.

The Senate approved the bill less than an hour earlier in a 12-9 vote.

Introduced by Rep. Helene Keeley, HB 39 will make possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by adults a civil violation punishable by a $100 fine with no possibility of jail. Possession of up to an ounce of marijuana is currently a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $575 fine and up to three months in jail.

HB 39 goes into effect six months after enactment.

Please thank the governor for his leadership! You can call him at (302) 744-4101 or send him a message on social media or by webmail here.

In other Delaware news, the first medical…

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Delaware Governor Signs Bill to Allow Medical Marijuana Use by Children

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DOVER, DE — On Tuesday, Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed into law a bill that will allow children to be accepted into Delaware’s medical marijuana program.  The bill was unanimously passed by both chambers in the legislature earlier this month.

Under Senate Bill 90, known as Rylie’s Law, special under-18 medical marijuana cards will be issued to qualifying minors that will allow them access to medical marijuana oils that contain limited amounts of THC once dispensaries become operational later this month.

To qualify, minors must suffer from intractable epilepsy or a medical condition that has not responded to other treatments and that involves wasting, intractable nausea, or severe, painful, and persistent muscle spasms.

Only medical marijuana oils that contain a…

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Markell Signs Delaware Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Into Law

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Delaware becomes 20th state in the nation to remove the threat of jail for simple marijuana possession

DOVER — Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill into law Thursday night that will remove criminal penalties and potential jail time for adult possession of a small amount of marijuana. The Delaware Senate approved the bill 12-9 earlier in the evening.

The new law will take effect in six months.

House Bill 39, introduced by Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South) in the House and sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chair Margaret Rose Henry (D-Wilmington East) in the Senate, will replace criminal penalties for adult marijuana possession with a civil fine similar to a traffic ticket. Under current Delaware law, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor with a maximum…

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Delaware Legislature Decriminalizes Marijuana Possession

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DOVER, DE — The Delaware Senate approved a bill 12-9 on Thursday that would remove criminal penalties and potential jail time for adult possession of a small amount of marijuana.

The measure, which was approved in the House earlier this month, will now be sent to Gov. Jack Markell (D), who is expected to sign it into law. In a March letter to the editor of The New York Times, Gov. Markell said he is “hopeful that [his] state will decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.”

House Bill 39, introduced by Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South) in the House and sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chair Margaret Rose Henry (D-Wilmington East) in the Senate, would replace criminal penalties for adult marijuana possession with a civil fine similar to a traffic ticket.

Under…

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Source: The Daily Chronic

Delaware Governor Signs Bill Decriminalizing Minor Marijuana Possession Offenses

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DOVER, DE — Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation Thursday decriminalizing minor marijuana possession offenses.

Members of the Senate voted 12 to 9 in favor of the measure, House Bill 39, Thursday afternoon. The Governor signed the measure into law later in the evening.

House and Senate members approved the measure despite vocal opposition from law enforcement and Republicans. No Republican lawmakers voted in favor of the bill.

Under state law, the possession of personal use quantities of cannabis is classified as a criminal misdemeanor, punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a $575 fine, and a criminal record. House Bill 39 reduces penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana to a civil violation punishable by a $100 fine only — no arrest, and no criminal…

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Source: The Daily Chronic

Delaware Senate Committee Approves Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

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The full Senate will now consider HB 39, which would replace potential jail time with a civil fine for possession of a small amount of marijuana by adults; the House approved the measure earlier this month

DOVER, DE — The Delaware Senate Judiciary Committee approved a bill 4-2 on Wednesday that would remove criminal penalties and potential jail time for simple adult marijuana possession and replace them with a civil fine similar to a traffic ticket.

The measure will now be considered by the full Senate.

House Bill 39, introduced by Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South) in the House and sponsored by Judiciary Committee Chair Margaret Rose Henry (D-Wilimington East) in the Senate, would make possession of up to one ounce of marijuana by an adult a civil violation punishable by a $100…

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Source: The Daily Chronic

Delaware Lawmakers Unanimously Approve Allowing Medical Marijuana Oils by Children

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DOVER, DE — A bill that would allow children to be accepted into Delaware’s medical marijuana program has been unanimously passed by both chambers in the legislature, and heads to the desk of Governor Jack Markell for final approval.

The bill, Senate Bill 90, also adds intractable epilepsy to the list of debilitating medical conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in the state.

The House voted 40-0 on Thursday to approve the measure, which passed the Senate by a 21-0 vote last week.

Currently, under Delaware’s medical marijuana law, minors under 18 years old are not eligible for the program.

Under the bill passed Thursday, known as Rylie’s Law, special under-18 medical…

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Source: The Daily Chronic

Better Late than Never: Delaware Medical Marijuana Dispensary to Open June 26

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WILMINGTON, DE — After nearly four years and numerous delays, access to medical marijuana is coming to Delaware on June 26 when the state’s first — and only — dispensary is expected to open.

First State Compassion Center, located in an industrial park on the outskirts of Wilmington, will open its doors at 10:30 am on June 26.  Patient orientations are planned for June 18 and June 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

An estimated 340 Delaware residents have been approved to use medical marijuana in the state, although the First State Compassion Center’s opening will mark the first time those patients have legal, safe access to medical marijuana in the First State.

Medical marijuana…

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Source: The Daily Chronic

Delaware Marijuana Decriminalization Vote Expected Tuesday

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DOVER, DE — When the Delaware House of Representatives returns to Dover on Tuesday afternoon, one of the first pieces of legislation to be considered is expected is a bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana.

UPDATE: Delaware House Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana Possession

Introduced by Rep. Helene Keeley (D-Wilmington South) and 14 co-sponsors — all Democrats — House Bill 39 would make the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana a civil violation, punishable by a $100 fine.  Fines would double if not paid within 90…

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Delaware Approves Minor Changes to Medical Marijuana Regulations

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DOVER, DE — Lawmakers in the Delaware House have given final approval to a bill updating regulations regarding Delaware’s long-delayed medical marijuana program.

Senate Bill 7 passed the House unanimously on a 40-0 vote with no floor debate Tuesday, and now goes to the Governor for his signature.

The bill does little to change Delaware’s fledgling medical marijuana program, essentially defining the membership of a nine-member oversight committee that will evaluate and make recommendations regarding implementation of the program,…

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