Speak Up: Responses to question on legalizing marijuana

House Bill 1 seeks to remove “all penalties for use or possession of a personal use quantity of marijuana and marijuana accessories,” and House Bill 2 would regulate and tax marijuana for recreational use “in much the same manner as alcohol,” and create “a framework for production, manufacture, and sale in a legal recreational marijuana industry.” Both passed the Senate on Tuesday and are headed to the governor’s desk. Are you for or against the legalization of recreational marijuana for adults? Why should Delaware legalize the commercialization and taxation of cannabis and its products in other forms?

• I have a traumatic brain injury, and this provides me with the mental fortitude to go about my day.— Reston Tuurns
• I’m all for this wonderful piece of legislation! Prohibition has only harmed our communities. People deserve the right to choose! — Lizzie Golob
• Why not cover why a Republican is against freedom and freedom from the Drug Enforcement Administration? Why not cover why the medical dispensaries have banded together to stop recreational? In my opinion, incarceration is probably the worst thing for your health. — John Sybert
• A time and place would be very beneficial! — Barbara McGee
• The amount of money, jobs and medications that result from ending prohibition — why wouldn’t we want it passed? — Matt Anderson
• What about illegal civil asset forfeiture? You never cover that. Or that the GOP continuously insults the Delaware State Police by having zero faith in our professional police force. Or how there has never been an uptick in DUI after decriminalization and medical. You don’t cover how we already have drug recognition experts already on the roads. — John Sybert
• I’m all for it! End prohibition! — Justin Neal Capps
• Prohibition has failed. End the stigma and bring all the benefits of a regulated industry. — Jeff King
• I would hope that passing the law would reduce some crime. And I imagine that passing the law would create the need for new motor vehicle-operating standards. If there are people with eight DUIs, and they are still driving, new penalties should be considered. — Thaddeus Fisher
• Against. Don’t need more impaired drivers on the roads. — Steve Peterman
• You’re right. Perhaps the solution is take alcoholic drinks. No one was ever tempted to take a sip on the way home. By the way, not one person is advocating for impaired driving. Maybe it’d be safer to purchase in Maryland and give them our tax money. — Mark Golob
• Nope. No drug or alcohol is going to keep reality away forever. Deal with your problems head-on. Don’t hide behind a substance. — Michael Campbell
• So prolong the inevitable? — Reston Tuurns
• The market exists. It’s just whether you want to choose whether the citizens of Delaware are in charge of it or the criminals. That’s your choice. Your choice is the choice of drug dealers. They’re the ones that don’t want it to be legal. — John Sybert
• No. 1: I have read this plant cures many forms of cancer. No. 2: Cannabis helps you take less medication. No. 3: Cannabis helps improve blood pressure. No. 4: Cannabis helps improve sex life. No. 5: Cannabis helps stabilize the mood. No. 6: Cannabis helps relieve stress. No. 7: Cannabis helps premenstrual syndrome cramps. No. 8: Cannabis saves lives. No. 9: Cannabis helps sick people eat food. No. 10: Cannabis helps people. You really have to start asking yourself why this plant is illegal and who is profiting off of this plant staying illegal. Follow the money and get your answers. — Justin Curran