Delaware Bill Seeks to Decriminalize Smoking Cannabis in Public

A new bill in the Delaware House of Representatives is seeking to decriminalize the public consumption of cannabis, WHYY reports.

The proposal, introduced by state Rep. Eric Morrison (D), would reduce the penalty for public cannabis consumption from a misdemeanor — which can lead to arrest, imprisonment of up to five days, and fine of up to $200 — to a civil violation punishable by up to $50 in fines for the first offense, increasing to up to $100 on subsequent violations.

Morrison said his bill is not designed to approve or condone public cannabis consumption. Rather, his proposal is about “reducing the penalty.”

“It doesn’t make sense for folks smoking cannabis in public to have a criminal record for that. Criminal records hurt people in terms of finding housing and finding jobs. That’s not good for society.” — Morrison, via WHYY

The bill is currently assigned to the House Health and Human Development Committee.

Delaware’s adult-use cannabis legalization law took effect in April 2024 without the governor’s signature, and the state’s first adult-use dispensaries opened for business last August.