Democratic Gov. Jack. Markell signed a bill Thursday night decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana in his state.
The bill — which was passed without a single Republican vote — allows Delawareans to possess up to an ounce of marijuana. They are also now able to use the drug privately without facing criminal punishment.
A punishment of up to three months in jail and a maximum $575 fine for possession of up to one ounce of marijuana will now be replaced with a simple $100 fine and no jail time.
However, growing, selling and trafficking marijuana remain illegal under the law.
Markell signed the legislation into law, which was sponsored by Rep. Helene Keeley, D-Wilmington, immediately. It goes into effect six months after Markell’s signature.
“The governor remains committed to reducing the number of people entering the criminal justice system and refocusing resources where they are needed most and House Bill 39 supports these efforts,” Markell spokeswoman Kelly Bachman said in a statement after the signing.
According to the Marijuana Policy Project, Delaware is now the 20th state in the country to decriminalize marijuana.
(h/t Delaware Online)
