State of Delaware Archives: on Drugs


Chris Coons: Bath salts & synthetic marijuana terrorize our communities

Senator Chris Coons praised the Senate's passage of legislation late last month that would make the sale of chemical compounds found in bath salts and synthetic marijuana illegal in the United States, urging members of the House-Senate conference committee to preserve the measure during its negotiations this month. "Dangerous drugs like bath salts are terrorizing our communities and destroying lives," Senator Coons said. "Stricter measures must be taken to stem the growing prevalence of bath salts and other new designer drugs."

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.

Source: Press release on 2014 Delaware Senate race: Coons.Senate.gov Jun 2, 2012

Chuck Boyce: Expand treatment for those struggling with addiction

We need leaders in DC who will push public health emergency funding to the top of their agenda in order to get rid of prescribed painkillers, heroin, and synthetic drugs often sold on our streets.

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.

Source: 2018 Delaware Senatorial campaign website ChuckForSenate.com Feb 22, 2018

Colin Bonini: Decriminalizing marijuana sends young people wrong message

Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana in Delaware. Markell signed the bill privately shortly after it passed the Democrat-controlled Senate on a straight party-line vote. "The governor remains committed to reducing the number of people entering the criminal justice system and refocusing resources where they are needed most," a Markell spokeswoman said.

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.

Source: Washington Post on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race Jun 18, 2015

Colin Bonini: Keep marijuana criminal offenses if under age 21

DE SB45, An Act To Amend Title 16 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Marijuana.

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.

Source: BillTrack50 on Delaware legislative voting records: DE SB45 Jun 20, 2019

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

Truono stated that he supports ending federal prohibition and allowing states to decide the laws with marijuana regulations. "The issue that we need to implement is to remove marijuana as a Schedule 1 substance for those states that have changed the law to legalize even recreational marijuana, and the reason why that is, is because states' rights are supreme to the federal government... but I do not have a problem with recreational or medical marijuana," he said.
Source: The Review (U. Del.) on 2018 Delaware Senate race Apr 3, 2018

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

Much crime is committed by people with substance abuse problems. 71% of men arrested tested positive for an illegal substance. Too often, our solution is to simply throw the drug user in prison, but many of these individuals need treatment more than a prison guard.

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.

Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Delaware legislature Jan 23, 2014

Jack Markell: Decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana

Gov. Jack Markell signed legislation decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana in Delaware. Markell signed the bill privately shortly after it passed the Democrat-controlled Senate on a straight party-line vote. "The governor remains committed to reducing the number of people entering the criminal justice system and refocusing resources where they are needed most," a Markell spokeswoman said.

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.

Source: Washington Post on 2016 Delaware gubernatorial race Jun 18, 2015

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

The crime rate has increased and decriminalizing marijuana only masks the problem. The heroin epidemic is out of control and it is not just a mental health issue but a criminal issue too and they both must be resolved.
Source: Wilmington News Journal on 2020 Delaware Senate race Aug 20, 2018

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

The opioid crisis plagues our state and country. When last measured, Delaware had the nation's fifth highest overall rate of opioid sales. And in too many cases opioid abuse contributes to our state's tragic heroin problem. Effective April 1st, we will impose new protections for the safe prescribing of opioids. These new regulations will be some of the most far-reaching in the nation. We have introduced new legislation to allow expanded use of the state's prescription database to better target doctors who overprescribe.

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.

Source: 2017 Delaware State of the State address Mar 30, 2017

John Carney: Decriminalize under-age marijuana possession

DE SB45, An Act To Amend Title 16 Of The Delaware Code Relating To Marijuana.

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.

Source: BillTrack50 on Delaware legislative voting records: DE SB45 Jul 31, 2019

Julianne Murray: Declare opioid crisis public health emergency

Julianne Murray believes in a multifaceted plan for addressing the opioid crisis, including changing prescribing patterns, cracking down on the spread of opioids, and launching community health initiatives.
Source: 2020 DE gubernatorial campaign website MurrayForDelaware.com Oct 9, 2020

Lauren Witzke: Admits having run drugs for Mexican cartels

Witzke said she became addicted to painkillers and, eventually, heroin. "I ended up in a situation that I never thought I'd find myself in: I was running drugs, actually, for the Mexican cartels," she told WDEL radio in May. "These people came here 100 percent legally, chain migration brought people here who will sell drugs to Americans and not think twice if it will kill them. They will sell these drugs to American children; they will sell them to your families, and they don't care."
Source: Slate.com on 2020 Delaware Senate race Sep 16, 2020

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

Opioid Crisis- As a member of the recovery community, I am an expert at recovery solutions. I will propose bills that provide federal funding for faith-based solutions for recovery. Faith-based solutions have merit, there is validity in the results they produce. High level organizers of drug rings will be punished to the full extent of the law, this will work in tandem with immigration enforcement.
Source: Ballotpedia Candidate survey 2020 Delaware Senate race Sep 30, 2020

Rob Arlett: Tougher enforcement via Opioid Crisis Response Act

As a compassionate conservative, Rob supports the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018 which includes tougher drug enforcement efforts at our borders, as well as increased access to mental health and drug treatment for all those in need of help and care. Rob will not standby when thousands of American's lives are ended too early by the dangerous drugs on our streets.
Source: 2018 Delaware Senate Campaign website RobArlett.com Sep 1, 2018

  • The above quotations are from State of Delaware Politicians: Archives.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Drugs:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI)
Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023