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The measure will allow individuals in Delware to possess up to
an ounce of marijuana, and use it privately without facing
criminal sanctions, though police could still confiscate the
drug, according to Delaware Online, The News Journal.
The statute also will reduce the penalty for using marijuana in
a public place to a $100 civil fine. Under previous Delaware
law, simple marijuana possession was a misdemeanor punishable by
up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1,150.
The law takes effect in six months. Markell, a Democrat, signed
the measure almost immediately after the state Senate, voting
along party lines, gave it final legislative approval on
Thursday.
According to the Journal, the Democratic-backed bill cleared the
state Legislature without a single Republican vote in either the
House or Senate.
Not counting Delaware, 17 states have passed laws to
decriminalize personal marijuana use and possession in small
amounts, according to the National Organization for the Reform
of Marijuana Laws, a lobbying group.
Delaware is one of 23 states, along with the District of
Columbia, that already allow the use of pot for medical reasons.
Voters in Colorado, Washington state, Oregon, Alaska and
Washington, D.C., have also have approved ballot measures
legalizing cannabis for adult recreational use.
Marijuana remains classified as an illegal narcotic under U.S.
federal law.
(Reporting by Steve Gorman in Los Angeles; Editing by Robert
Birsel)
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