A bill that would create a taxed-and-regulated cannabis market in Delaware has passed the House Revenue and Finance Committee and will move next to the House floor for a full vote. According to the bill text, the legislation would regulate and tax cannabis “in the same manner as alcohol,” allowing adults 21-and-older to purchase cannabis products but it does not include home grow provisions.
State Rep. Helene Keeley, a Democrat and the bill’s sponsor, said she believes the measure has enough support to pass the House, which will likely take up the legislation after the legislature’s June recess.
“The numbers that we’re getting, about $22 (million) and $25 million on the conservative side that’s just off the sale,” Keeley said in a WMDT report. “If we actually look at this as an economic driver it makes perfect sense.”
Senate Majority Whip Margaret Rose Henry is supporting the measure in the Senate.
“Education is suffering. Revenue from legalizing marijuana could help struggling schools and seniors, among other causes and close major budget deficits in Delaware,” she said at a Medical Marijuana Act Oversight Committee meeting.
The measure would provide 20 percent of tax revenues collected from legal cannabis sales to the Department of Education.
If approved by both chambers and signed by Democratic Gov. John Carney, the initial regulations governing the program would need to be adopted not later than 9 months after the passage of the bill.