Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long said she supports the legalization of marijuana, showing a major chasm with the governor’s views on recreational weed.
“As a member of the Delaware General Assembly, I voted for both the medical marijuana and decriminalization legislation,” she said in a statement to Delaware Online/The News Journal.
“I support the legalization of marijuana. It’s important to keep it out of the hands of our children, and ensure product and workplace safety.”
WEED FAILS:Delaware governor vetoes marijuana legalization bill, setting up historic showdown with legislature
Hall-Long did not comment on the governor’s veto or if a recreational marijuana industry should be created in Delaware. Many politicos in Delaware have speculated that Hall-Long could run for governor in 2024.
Gov. John Carney announced this week that he will veto a bill that would have legalized the possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, likely one of his most controversial decisions as governor.
This could trigger a historic showdown with the General Assembly and members of his own party. The legislature has very rarely voted to override a governor’s veto, with the last successful attempt being in 1977.
Carney is in his second term as governor and cannot run for re-election. He had three options when it came to this bill: He could sign, veto or let the bill become law without his signature.
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If the General Assembly decides to override, it would require a three-fifths vote in both chambers. This bill reached that threshold in the first vote, though it is unclear if the governor’s veto has thwarted any support.
A bill that would create a recreational marijuana industry in Delaware recently failed in the House due to a lawmaker being sick and missing the vote. The legislation is expected to be voted on again when the General Assembly returns from recess in early June.
Even if the bill passes both chambers, Carney is expected to veto it, as well.
Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 256-2466 or at mnewman@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MereNewman.
