The Delaware Medical Marijuana Act became law in July 2012, regulating the medical use of weed in the state. Delaware became the 16th state in the country to authorize legal use of medical marijuana allowing qualified individuals to purchase and possess up to 6 ounces of the substance.
Physicians may authorize a patient to use marijuana to treat severe, debilitating pain, wasting syndrome, intractable nausea and seizures. The state regulates distribution centers in an effort to alleviate Justice Department concerns with tight security measure requirements.
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Lawmakers have voiced both their support and opposition to the law:
1. “There are so many people in Delaware who are suffering unimaginable pain that this will help, and we want to be able to do what we can to provide much-needed relief for those citizens,” said Senate Majority Whip Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington East, sponsor of the
legislation, according to The Daily Chronic.
“I am very grateful that so many of my colleagues were able to look past the myths surrounding marijuana and into the eyes and hearts of those who were crying out for our help. Needless to say, I am profoundly grateful to Gov. Markell for his support of this important legislation.”
2. In early 2012, the state suspended its medical marijuana program temporarily, caving to pressure from the federal government.
According to The Daily Chronic, the Department of Justice noted that Delaware residents wouldn’t be immune from federal prosecution, despite state laws. But some lawmakers were adamant about keeping the program and moving forward, including Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington.
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“Maybe we have to tweak the current law to make this happen,” Keeley said. “We can’t give up.”
3. Delaware has implemented highly regulated dispensaries; a move Gov. Jack Markell hopes will keep the federal government at bay,
reported The Daily Chronic.
“The sensible and humane aim of state policy in Delaware remains to ensure that medical marijuana is accessible via a safe, well-regulated channel of distribution to patients with demonstrated medical need,” wrote Markell in a letter to other lawmakers.
4. "So many people's entry into the criminal justice system involves possession or use of very small amounts of marijuana," said state Sen. Bryan Townsend
according to Business Insider. "In my mind, marijuana is not in the same grouping as a lot of the drugs we need to be focusing our efforts on.”
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