With April 20 — known as 4/20 — coming up next month, and all the talk about legalizing recreational marijuana in Delaware lately, here’s a refresher on the widely celebrated day.
The unofficial holiday 4/20, also observed at the time 4:20, is a major cause for celebration for weed smokers everywhere.
Those who participate in 4/20-related rituals use the occasion to celebrate the usage of marijuana in various ways.
With recreational marijuana in different phases of acceptance nationwide, 4/20 is also a time for supporters to advocate for the normalization and legalization of recreational marijuana.
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How people celebrate 4/20
As weed has become more commonplace over the years, marijuana usage has expanded from only smoking to include a slew of products, including edible options like baked goods and candy, that allow interested parties to dabble in weed-infused recreational activities.
Plenty of businesses have jumped on the bandwagon in recent years and now sell products that incorporate marijuana in some way, and 4/20 is a big day for product releases and getting consumers to dabble in something new.
Those who participate can choose from celebrating with friends or crowds at local events and rallies, but how you choose to indulge in 4/20 comes down to personal preference.
Marijuana in Delaware
Since 2012, 21 states have legalized recreational marijuana, including New Jersey, New York and Maryland, but Delaware has yet to do so.
Some lawmakers in Delaware have been on the quest to legalize weed for several years.
Last year, lawmakers proposed a bill that would legalize the possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, but it was vetoed by Gov. John Carney.
A separate bill that would have established a recreational marijuana industry in the state also failed last year.
What’s up with weed now?
This year, two recreational marijuana bills have been introduced.
House Bill 1 is concerned with legalization and would remove all penalties for possessing 1 ounce or less of leaf marijuana for those 21 and older. Marijuana is decriminalized in Delaware.
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House Bill 2 would establish a recreational marijuana industry and create a framework to regulate growth, sale and possession of weed. According to lawmakers, marijuana would be regulated and taxed the same way alcohol is and Delawareans would buy it from licensed retail marijuana stores.
Under the bill, 30 retail licenses would be distributed within 16 months of the legislation going into effect.
Reporter Brandon Holveck contributed to this report.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.
