Puff, Puff, Pass???

     Hey Family!!!  Yes, I'm still here.  Just haven't been talking to you much, but I think I need to get back to it.  Hope you all are at least trying to maintain some healthy habits.  Hope you all are working on being the best you that YOU can be.  A few years ago, I traveled to Colorado and experienced my first look at an entire city block with marijuana dispensaries.  My mouth was hanging open.  I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  So today, I want to comment on the newest topic going around in the State of Delaware.  Yes,  my home state.  LEGALIZATION of MARIJUANA. 


     According to Delaware Online, the legislators are working on making Delaware the ninth state to legalize recreational marijuana use.  This new law would allow anyone 21 and older to purchase up to an ounce of "the weed" from an authorized seller--not the corner boy.  Apparently, the plan is to have approximately 40 authorized seller locations where you would be able to purchase the product.  As per Delaware Online, this is the only state in a seven-hour drive that would have legalized marijuana, so you know that we would attract out-of state sales, and not just for marijuana.


     I don't understand how it has already been determined how many recreational facilities there will be, when there is currently only ONE "medical" marijuana dispensary in the entire state.  According to the website, Dispensarypermits.com, the law allowing dispensing of "medical" marijuana in Delaware was passed in May 2011, but the dispensary did not open until June 2015.  Then in December of 2015, the Department of Health decided to begin accepting Request For Proposals (RFP) for the Registration and Operation of a Medical Marijuana Compassion Center to produce, process, and sell medical marijuana in Kent and Sussex County.  This will allow a second medical dispensary to open in Kent County sometime in the second half of 2017.   


     If it took years between the law passing and the set up of dispensaries for people NEEDING the drug for medical conditions, I wonder how fast it will take to open the recreational dispensing facilities. In my mind, if the law passes, all you weed heads out there, need not get excited to soon.  It will probably be a couple of years before you will be able to puff, puff, pass. Or maybe not?  If the State thinks this will be a money maker, it may happen within months.  According to Delaware Online, The proposed Delaware Marijuana Control Act would create a commission to regulate, license and tax the state's marijuana business. Consumers would be required to pay a $50-per-ounce excise tax, while retailers would be charged a $5,000 application fee and a $10,000 annual licensing fee.


     I just have a couple of questions.  How will folks be affected if the law is passed?  Will people who are in jail for marijuana possession be immediately released?  How many employers who currently test for drugs regularly react?  There is a test for alcohol intoxication, but there is no test for marijuana intoxication.  How will law enforcement handle that if they think someone is under the influence?  Since marijuana can be infused into edible products, will there be special labeling and warnings to prevent people, specifically children from ingesting them? 


     Well, I guess we will just have to wait and see.  This should be interesting.


SMOOCHES

 


    
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