Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The News Journal's Sept. 7 story about the first meeting of the Adult Use Cannabis Task Force outlined the numerous social, economic, criminal justice, health care and drug treatment-related issues that arise as part of the debate around legalizing recreational marijuana use in Delaware. While the story itself fairly presented the complex issues involved, the headline used by The News Journal – "New path toward legalized marijuana in Delaware begins" – was misleading to the public.
This task force is not on a pre-determined path to legalization, as suggested by the headline. Instead, the General Assembly created the Adult Use Cannabis Task Force to "study issues surrounding the possible future legalization of non-medical, adult use cannabis in Delaware, including local authority and control, consumer safety and substance abuse prevention, packaging and labeling requirements, impaired driving and other criminal law concerns, and taxation, revenue, and banking issues and to submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly by January 31, 2018."
The task force's broad charge is reflected in and represented by a broad cross-section of members, some of whom support legalization and a significant number of whom, including members of the Keep Delaware Safe and Healthy Coalition, oppose legalization. To fairly study the issues as directed by the General Assembly, it will be critical for the task force to identify and bring to public light all the possible challenges and consequences that recreational legislation would bring to Delaware.
Accurate information and open dialogue on the issues, not misleading media headlines, are what the task force needs to complete this important study.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana legalization not a given: Letters to the Editor
Author: Rev. Tom Laymon
Contact: Contact Us | Delaware Online
Photo Credit: REUTERS
Website: The News Journal | Delawareonline.com | Delaware news
This task force is not on a pre-determined path to legalization, as suggested by the headline. Instead, the General Assembly created the Adult Use Cannabis Task Force to "study issues surrounding the possible future legalization of non-medical, adult use cannabis in Delaware, including local authority and control, consumer safety and substance abuse prevention, packaging and labeling requirements, impaired driving and other criminal law concerns, and taxation, revenue, and banking issues and to submit a report to the Governor and General Assembly by January 31, 2018."
The task force's broad charge is reflected in and represented by a broad cross-section of members, some of whom support legalization and a significant number of whom, including members of the Keep Delaware Safe and Healthy Coalition, oppose legalization. To fairly study the issues as directed by the General Assembly, it will be critical for the task force to identify and bring to public light all the possible challenges and consequences that recreational legislation would bring to Delaware.
Accurate information and open dialogue on the issues, not misleading media headlines, are what the task force needs to complete this important study.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana legalization not a given: Letters to the Editor
Author: Rev. Tom Laymon
Contact: Contact Us | Delaware Online
Photo Credit: REUTERS
Website: The News Journal | Delawareonline.com | Delaware news
