by Alexander Lekhtman – Filter
Three of Delaware’s six most prominent beaches have now banned cannabis dispensaries. The other three are currently in discussion to do the exact same. All six are in Sussex County, a Republican stronghold.
Dewey Beach was the first to adopt its ordinance, in June. Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach all followed suit on August 18. Fenwick Island started drafting an ordinance back in July. South Bethany will be reviewing its ordinance in September or October. Lewes has similar discussions.
Ocean View is a town located slightly inland, and also part of Sussex County. In July, a draft ordinance was introduced. The town council of Ocean View does not meet until September, so the proposed ban won’t be voted upon until then.
Mark Jacobs, a state Marijuana Control Act Oversight Committee member, told WHYY that the situation was “almost laughable”. “I’m talking about Dewey Beach which is known for its excessive drinking and whose clubs receive fines every year for breaking the alcohol laws of the state. It is hypocritical for a town with a well-earned reputation as a party town to be the first to adopt the debunked Reefer Madness attitude, that getting a little stoned .”is not acceptable.
Delaware passed legislation in April that legalized adult-use cannabis and regulated its sale. It also allows local jurisdictions to ban cannabis business at the local levels. So far, only Sussex County in Delaware, the southernmost county, has taken action. Legislators have warned that dispensaries will attract “unsavory people” and residents claim that cannabis is not compatible with family-friendly beaches.
Councilmembers of the town are not only concerned with dispensary prohibitions. Dewey Beach Rehoboth Beach Bethany Beach all have banned cannabis production and manufacturing businesses. The bans allow for the sale of CBD and tobacco, which are both legal substances that adults can use but have significantly higher health risks.
In September 2024 the state is likely to license 30 dispensaries, and sales are expected to start in November or December. Delaware is a small state and some residents may be able to purchase regulated cannabis from a town nearby without much hassle. The culture of the Atlantic coast towns that oppose cannabis sales does not support cannabis use. This could lead to additional consequences.
Rehoboth Beach has, for instance, already banned smoking marijuana in public, even though its purpose isn’t entirely clear. The state legislation that legalizes cannabis for adult consumption does not permit public consumption.
Delaware was no different from the rest of America in that marijuana prohibition targeted Black residents. They were four times more likely to be arrested than white residents for possession. The state’s criminalization of marijuana did not change this disproportional criminalization after it decriminalized the drug in 2015. In Delaware, the sale of unlicensed cannabis is still a crime. The lowest level of punishment for amounts less than 1,500 grams can result in up to 8 years in prison.
This article was first published by Filter. A magazine online that covers drug use, drug policies, and human rights from a harm-reduction perspective. Subscribe to Filter’s newsletter or follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
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The article Delaware Beach Towns Ban Marijuana Businesses first appeared on Marijuana Moment.
