FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | June 20, 2019
Delaware State Senate Majority Caucus
Contact: Scott Goss (302) 744-4180, or
Dylan McDowell (302) 744-4282
Delaware State Senate Majority Caucus
Contact: Scott Goss (302) 744-4180, or
Dylan McDowell (302) 744-4282
Senate passes Paradee bill to make underage marijuana possession a civil offense
DOVER – The Delaware Senate on Thursday passed legislation aimed at keeping teens and young adults from entering the criminal justice system based on a youthful mistake.
Sponsored by Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, Senate Bill 45 would make possession or consumption of marijuana by anyone younger than 21 a civil rather than criminal infraction for a first and second offense. The measure passed by a vote of 13 to 6.
Delaware decriminalized possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for anyone older than 21 in 2015, meaning most adults caught with a limited amount of cannabis are subject to a $100 fine similar to a speeding ticket. People younger than 21, however, are subject to an unclassified misdemeanor – a criminal offense that can make it difficult for them to find work and housing later in life.
“This is one of those cleanup bills that can seem small but is actually very important,” said Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover. “Making sure that Delaware’s teens aren’t made criminals for the same minor possession charges we just decriminalized for adults is important. It’s fundamentally about fairness and uniformity in our code, but it will also – like many other criminal justice bills this year – ensure that kids aren’t being saddled with criminal records for minor offenses.”
Under Senate Bill 45, a first offense violation for someone younger than 21 also would result in a $100 fine. An amendment added to the bill last week would set the fine for a second offense between $200 and $500. Any additional offenses would be subject to an unclassified misdemeanor charge and more fines.
Senate Bill 45 mirrors another bill in that package that was passed unanimously by the Senate in May and is now awaiting a final vote in the House. Sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Brandywine, Senate Bill 44 seeks to convert underage consumption of alcohol violations from a criminal to a civil offense.
Senate Bill 45 now heads to the House for final consideration.
Sponsored by Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, Senate Bill 45 would make possession or consumption of marijuana by anyone younger than 21 a civil rather than criminal infraction for a first and second offense. The measure passed by a vote of 13 to 6.
Delaware decriminalized possession of up to an ounce of marijuana for anyone older than 21 in 2015, meaning most adults caught with a limited amount of cannabis are subject to a $100 fine similar to a speeding ticket. People younger than 21, however, are subject to an unclassified misdemeanor – a criminal offense that can make it difficult for them to find work and housing later in life.
“This is one of those cleanup bills that can seem small but is actually very important,” said Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover. “Making sure that Delaware’s teens aren’t made criminals for the same minor possession charges we just decriminalized for adults is important. It’s fundamentally about fairness and uniformity in our code, but it will also – like many other criminal justice bills this year – ensure that kids aren’t being saddled with criminal records for minor offenses.”
Under Senate Bill 45, a first offense violation for someone younger than 21 also would result in a $100 fine. An amendment added to the bill last week would set the fine for a second offense between $200 and $500. Any additional offenses would be subject to an unclassified misdemeanor charge and more fines.
Senate Bill 45 mirrors another bill in that package that was passed unanimously by the Senate in May and is now awaiting a final vote in the House. Sponsored by Sen. Laura Sturgeon, D-Brandywine, Senate Bill 44 seeks to convert underage consumption of alcohol violations from a criminal to a civil offense.
Senate Bill 45 now heads to the House for final consideration.
###
- Press Contacts
Scott Goss
Communications Director
(302) 744-4180
scott.goss@delaware.gov
Dylan McDowell
Communications Assistant
(302) 744-4282
dylan.mcdowell@delaware.gov