A bill in Delaware that would have legalized adult-use marijuana in the state and set up a cannabis business program was defeated in the House.
Members of the Democrat-led body voted 23-14 in favor of the bill on Thursday, but the measure required a three-fifths majority, or 25 votes, because it would have imposed a new tax, the Associated Press reported.
No Republicans voted in favor of the bill, and four lawmakers, including two Democrats, abstained.
The measure, House Bill 305, was sponsored by Newark Democrat Ed Osienski, his third attempted legalization effort in the past three years, according to the Newark Post. HB 305 was the first of the three to reach a floor vote.
The proposed measure focused in large part on social equity and small businesses.
Are you a social equity cannabis license holder or applicant?
The MJBizCon team is now accepting 2023 Social Equity Scholarship Program applications.
The mission of this program is to provide social equity cannabis license holders or applicants access to the #1 global cannabis industry conference + tradeshow in Las Vegas.
Who can apply?
- Students currently enrolled in a cannabis-related program at an accredited university or college.
- Cannabis executives at licensed social equity cultivation, extraction/processing, retail, manufacturing/brand businesses (or awaiting application approval).
Don’t miss out on this potentially life-changing opportunity.
Apply to attend MJBizCon today – The application period will close on July 24!
The bill would have licensed:
- 30 retailers, including 15 social equity applicants.
- 60 cultivators, with 20 social equity applicants.
- 30 product manufacturers, including 10 social equity applicants.
- Five testing labs, with two social equity applicants.
The state would have overseen the manufacturing and distribution industry and levied a 15% tax on retail sales.
