Marijuana bill moves on in Delaware legislature

The Delaware State Judiciary Committee voted 4-2 Wednesday on a bill that would remove criminal penalties and potential jail time for adults in possession of a small amount of marijuana. Instead, the bill proposed a $100 civil fine with no possibility of jail.

Under current Delaware law, possession of up to one ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $575 fine and up to three months in jail.

“The potential impact for employment, housing, and education are too severe under current law for the violation.” Judiciary Committee Chair Margaret Rose Henry said.

House Bill 39 was approved by the Delaware House of Representatives on June 2, 2015. It now moves to the State Senate for a full vote.