Delaware Gov signs decriminalization bill.

[kristopher]

Markell signs Delaware marijuana decriminalization bill

Voting along party lines, Senate lawmakers gave final legislative approval on Thursday to a measure that decriminalizes the possession and private use of up to an ounce of marijuana, and Gov. Jack Markell almost immediately signed the legislation into law.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington, allows Delawareans to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and use the drug privately without facing criminal sanctions.

Criminal penalties for simple possession will be replaced with a civil $100 fine. The law takes effect six months after Markell's signature.

An amendment discussed in committee on Wednesday, to reduce the amount of marijuana in the legislation to a half ounce, did not make it to the floor for debate. The decriminalization measure, which cleared the House earlier this month, passed despite significant opposition from police groups and from Republicans.

Selling marijuana remains criminal under the law. No Republican voted in favor of the legislation in either the House or the Senate....

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/firststatepolitics/2015/06/18/senate-debate-marijuana/28927757/

[msongs]

1. so how will one get their ounce if it cannot be sold? buy from the cops? they proably have lots nt

[jaysunb]

2. I wonder if growing is addressed in this bill ? n/t

[joshcryer]

3. As usual, the police are oh so concerned.

[Ruby the Liberal]

4. Leadership and those with budget responsibilities, yes.

Rank and file would be better classified as "meh" mixed in with relief. Possession pot busts are a royal PITA and most up here don't want to be bothered with it.

[RussBLib]

5. I bemoan the Texas legislature

...one of the most backward in recent memory. They just passed a "medical marijuana" bill targeted at epileptics, but that's about it. Estimates are that very, very, very few Texans will benefit from this law.

Another example of Republicans doing next to nothing, but touting their "leadership".

We won't make real progress in Texas until we get some new Democratic leadership.

I've been wrong before, and I hope I'm wrong here.