Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Falls Short in DE House Vote

A vote to legalize recreational marijuana in Delaware came up short 4 votes in the State House.  Needing a three-fifths majority – 25 votes, House Bill 110 received 21 votes of 41.  The measure needed a super-majority because it would have created new fees and a new tax.  Proponents claimed the majority of the public supports legalization, touted its benefit as a new source of state revenue and that enacting the law would make safer a substance already in wide use.  Opponents cited negative impacts from other states that have legalized marijuana including increases in impaired driving, greater illegal use by teens and secondary health impacts on children.