By Nick Vadala, Philadelphia Inquirer
Marijuana legalization is coming to Delaware — without Gov. John Carney’s signature.
Carney announced Friday that he would not take action on a pair of bills legalizing cannabis in the state, which will allow them to become law by default. In a statement, Carney, a Democrat who does not support marijuana legalization, said it was “time to move on.”
“I came to this decision because I believe we’ve spent far too much time focused on this issue, when Delawareans face more serious and pressing concerns every day,” Carney said in a statement.
With Carney’s decision, Delaware becomes the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana. Carney said that legalization is “not a step forward,” and that he remains concerned that the state could be negatively impacted by recreational cannabis.
“I’m concerned especially about the potential effects on Delaware’s children, on the safety of our roadways, and on our poorest neighborhoods, where I believe a legal marijuana industry will have a disproportionately negative impact,” Carney said.
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