A majority of Delawareans, 61 percent in a recent UD poll, favor cannabis legalization - as do 60 percent of all Americans per a recent Gallup poll.
Given this consensus to end cannabis prohibition and with budget shortfalls that will reduce school funding, the Delaware Legislature should pass HB110 - The Marijuana Control Act. Gov. Carney should sign it into law.
HB110 is a well-crafted bill that regulates access to cannabis, controls its production and sales, and adds tax revenue that is currently lost to the illicit drug market. It enhances public health and safety while freeing the criminal justice system to pursue serious crimes. It allows consumers to use cannabis responsibly, safely, and legally, with all the rights and limitations that alcohol consumers have.
Revenue from cannabis sales are targeted at 20 percent for education, 30 percent to DHSS programs for drug safety, education, and rehabilitation, and 50 percent for the General Fund. Direct cannabis taxes, however, may be smaller than revenue generated by: jobs created, services required by the cannabis industry (real estate, HVAC, electrical, and security, among many), and tourism. In addition, Delaware will gain by not wasting resources on ineffective cannabis enforcement - over $22 million last year alone.
This popular law would largely mitigate expected cuts to our school budgets. I urge Delawareans who are in the majority on this issue to contact their legislators - and Governor Carney - and urge them to support HB110.
Mark Jacobs
Lewes
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