State of Delaware Archives: on Drugs

Julianne Murray: Declare opioid crisis public health emergency

Lauren Witzke: Federal funding for faith-based solutions for drug recovery

Lauren Witzke: Admits having run drugs for Mexican cartels

John Carney: Decriminalize under-age marijuana possession

Bill Summary: Under current law, the possession, use, or consumption of a personal use quantity of marijuana remains a crime for those under the age of 21 despite being a civil violation for adults. This Act makes the possession, use, or consumption of a personal use quantity of marijuana a civil violation for juveniles.

Commentary by MPP.org [pro-legalization]: On [a related bill, on] June 30, 2019, Gov. Carney signed SB 37 into law. This bill allows for a single cannabis misdemeanor conviction to be expunged after five years and a single cannabis felony conviction to be expunged after seven years.

: Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 13-6-2 on 6/20/2019; Passed House 34-7-0 on 6/30/2019; Signed by Governor John Carney on 07/31/2019.

Colin Bonini: Keep marijuana criminal offenses if under age 21

Bill Summary: Under current law, the possession, use, or consumption of a personal use quantity of marijuana remains a crime for those under the age of 21 despite being a civil violation for adults. This Act makes the possession, use, or consumption of a personal use quantity of marijuana a civil violation for juveniles.

Commentary by MPP.org [pro-legalization]: On [a related bill, on] June 30, 2019, Gov. Carney signed SB 37 into law. This bill allows for a single cannabis misdemeanor conviction to be expunged after five years and a single cannabis felony conviction to be expunged after seven years.

Bill Summary: Passed Senate 13-6-2 on 6/20/2019; Sen. Colin Bonini voted NO; Passed House 34-7-0 on 6/30/2019; Signed by Governor John Carney on 07/31/2019.

Rob Arlett: Tougher enforcement via Opioid Crisis Response Act

James DeMartino: Heroin not just mental health issue, but a criminal issue

Gene Truono: Federal marijuana regulations should reflect the state's

Chuck Boyce: Expand treatment for those struggling with addiction

If elected, I will advocate for immediate funding to the public health emergency fund that Congress hasn't replenished for years. It is unacceptable to me that more than 50,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year.

I will only support legislation that helps expand access to treatment for those struggling with addiction. I will not give into the notion of simply prescribing opioids to alleviate pain. This mindset has strengthened Big Pharma while taking more American lives, and this pattern of treatment has proven ineffective.

John Carney: Impose new protections for the safe prescribing of opioids

Prevention is key. But, we also need an all hands on deck approach to save the lives of those battling opioid and heroin addiction. I will continue the work to increase the availability of residential treatment, recovery homes, and expanded services for outpatient treatment slots. Delaware's Prescription Drug Action Committee has developed a set of recommendations from stakeholders across the spectrum.

Colin Bonini: Decriminalizing marijuana sends young people wrong message

Opponents expressed concerns that the legislation sends the wrong message to children, `and that it will lead to greater acceptance and use of illegal drugs while hampering the abilities of police to conduct searches and seizures. "This is a bill we're going to regret," said Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover. "The message we're sending young people is one we simply should not send."

The legislation makes possession by an adult of a "personal use" quantity of marijuana, defined as an ounce or less, a civil offense punishable by a fine of $100, rather than a crime.

Jack Markell: Decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana

Opponents expressed concerns that the legislation sends the wrong message to children, `and that it will lead to greater acceptance and use of illegal drugs while hampering the abilities of police to conduct searches and seizures. "This is a bill we're going to regret," said Sen. Colin Bonini, R-Dover. "The message we're sending young people is one we simply should not send."

The legislation makes possession by an adult of a "personal use" quantity of marijuana, defined as an ounce or less, a civil offense punishable by a fine of $100, rather than a crime.

Jack Markell: Addiction is a disease; fill gaps in drug treatment system

For many addicts, it's possible to deal with their disease successfully and go on to live happy, productive lives. There are stories like a teenage girl who lapsed into drug and alcohol use following her father's suicide and landed in jail, but with assistance of a Drug Court program overcame her addiction and got a college education.

We all know people with addictions who, with the right intervention, could live fulfilling lives. It's time for us to put into practice what we already know: addiction is a disease. It can and must be treated. Later this year, I will propose changes that better align our resources to fill the gaps in our drug treatment system and I look forward to working with you to fill these gaps.

Chris Coons: Bath salts & synthetic marijuana terrorize our communities

In addition to outlawing bath salts, the measure would also take the chemicals the DEA has identified within synthetic marijuana products and place them as Schedule I narcotics with other deadly drugs like heroin and LSD. It would close loopholes that have made the spread of synthetic marijuana almost impossible to stop because manufacturers tweak the chemical compounds to create products that are not technically covered under existing bans.