Speak Up: Weed bill a burning issue

The House of Representatives was set to vote on a measure last week that would legalize marijuana for adults, seeking to make Delaware the 18th state to allow recreational pot. But a few hours before the chamber went into session, the main sponsor announced there would be no vote that day. “House Bill 150 is an extremely important piece of legislation with many complicated moving parts,” Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark, said in a statement. “In recent days, a number of amendments have been filed by myself and other legislators that would make significant changes to the bill as written. Accordingly, my colleagues and I need time to consider the implications of these various amendments before bringing the bill to the House floor for a vote. “This is one piece of legislation that we have to get right, and I encourage my fellow legislators, advocates and supporters of the bill to please be patient as we continue to work toward the goal of legalizing marijuana for adult recreational use in Delaware.”

• Fifteen percent tax? That’s a little steep. — Doug Ware

• That is cheap compared to other states. Time to step up, Delaware. Jersey, Virginia and New York will be taking your tax money. — Charlie Harper

• Interesting. So mainly, it is the Democratic Party pushing this bill, but the group Moms Demand Action are a strong defender of the Democratic group. So my question is: How do the Democrats justify supporting legal cannabis when, in the wrong hands, it has the same effects as drinking and most people will still drive when high? — Laura Wing

• It is going to be hard to pass because you’ve got all these people out here screaming for police reform and defunding the police and, in order to pass a bill like this, legalizing it, the capability and tools have to be in place to police it. That costs money and dedicated time. — Mike Bodine

• Marijuana should be legalized, but this is the wrong bill to do it. — Rob Holley