DELAWARE- Delaware lawmakers are reacting to the state’s final preparations to launch recreational cannabis sales, set to begin Aug. 1.
Sen. Trey Paradee and House Majority Whip Rep. Ed Osienski issued a joint statement Monday, calling the launch a “major victory” after years of advocacy.
“We join the majority of Delawareans who are celebrating the recent announcement that adult-use cannabis sales will begin on August 1,” the lawmakers said.
Meanwhile, House Republicans expressed reservations about the expansion of legalized marijuana.
“House Republicans have mixed feelings about recreational marijuana sales. Many of our members opposed the expansion of legalized cannabis, partly out of concern that it would lead to higher DUI incidents, which we’ve seen in other jurisdictions that have made this choice,” said Joseph Fulgham, director of policy and communications for the Republican Caucus.
Paradee and Osienski agree that there may be "hiccups" in the beginning and are open to feedback.
“we hope that customers will understand that it will take time for Delaware’s cannabis economy to operate at full capacity.”
Fulgham also criticized Senate Bill 75, which would restrict county governments’ ability to regulate cannabis businesses.
“If enacted, the new law will significantly limit the authority of county governments to regulate marijuana businesses in unincorporated areas. It’s another instance of state officials imposing their will on local residents who have no means to hold them accountable," said Fulgham. "If recreational marijuana is as popular as proponents claimed, why are such heavy-handed tactics required to implement it?”
A complete list of towns and cities in the first state's decisions on marijuana sales can be found here.