Bethany Hall-Long on Drugs

	Bethany Hall-Long on Drugs

Broke with governor to support marijuana legalization

While serving for seven years alongside Gov. Carney, she notably broke with the governor last year, supporting the legalization of marijuana when Carney was still staunchly opposed. The drug was legalized this year after Carney chose not to act on the proposal. Source: Del. Business Times on 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial race , Sep 12, 2023

Led efforts to distribute opioid reversal drug Narcan

[On opioids]: "We created the first overdose system of care in this country in Delaware," Lt. Gov. Hall-Long stressed. It was through that work with the Behavioral Health Consortium that the Lt. Gov. was able to spearhead initiatives including helping to secure millions in funding to fight the opioid epidemic, launching a first of its kind pilot program to test drugs for fentanyl and xylazine, as well as leading grass roots efforts statewide to distribute the life-saving opioid reversal drug Narcan. Source: WMDT ABC-TV-47 on 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial race , Jul 19, 2023

Voted for both medical marijuana and decriminalization

Delaware Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long said she supports the legalization of marijuana, showing a major chasm with the governor's views on recreational weed. "As a member of the Delaware General Assembly, I voted for both the medical marijuana and decriminalization legislation," she said in a statement to Delaware Online/The News Journal. "I support the legalization of marijuana. It's important to keep it out of the hands of our children, and ensure product and workplace safety." Source: Delaware News Journal on 2024 Delaware Gubernatorial race , Jun 23, 2023

Decriminalize having one ounce or less of marijuana

HB39: The purpose of this bill is to decriminalize the possession or private use of a personal use quantity of marijuana.

WPVI ABC-6 summary: The bill would eliminate criminal penalties and potential jail time for possession of one ounce of marijuana or less. Instead, it would be a civil offense similar to a traffic ticket.

Legislative Outcome:Passed House 24-14-3 on Jun/2/15; passed Senate 12-9-0 on Jun/18/15; Hall-Long voted YES; signed by Gov. Markell on Jun/18/15.

Source: WPVI ABC-6 on Delaware State Legislature voting records HB39 , Jun 18, 2015

Decriminalize marijuana possession for personal use

HB39: The purpose of this bill is to decriminalize the possession or private use of a personal use quantity of marijuana.

Heritage Foundation in opposition: Scientific research is clear that marijuana is addictive and that its use significantly impairs bodily and mental functions. Even where decriminalized, marijuana trafficking remains a source of violence, crime, and social disintegration.

Marijuana Policy Project in support:On December 18, 2015, HB 39 took effect, removing the threat of arrest and jail time for adults possessing a small amount of marijuana. The law reduced the penalty for simple possession to a $100 civil fine. Previously, simple possession of marijuana was a criminal offense and could result in up to three months in jail, a fine of up to $575, or both.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 24-14-3 on Jun/2/15; passed Senate 12-9-0 on Jun/18/15; State Sen. Bethany Hall-Long voted YES; signed by Gov. Markell on Jun/18/15.

Source: Delaware State Legislature voting records HB39 , Jun 18, 2015

Click here for definitions & background information on Drugs. Click here for a summary of all issue stances of Bethany Hall-Long. Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Bethany Hall-Long. Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Bethany Hall-Long. Click here for VoteMatch responses by Bethany Hall-Long. Click here for issue positions of other DE politicians. Click here for DE primary archives. Click here for DE secondary archives.
*Other governors on Drugs:*			*Bethany Hall-Long on other issues:*
*DE Gubernatorial:* John Carney Matt Meyer Mike Ramone *DE Senatorial:* Chris Coons Eric Hansen James DeMartino Jessica Scarane Lauren Witzke Lisa Blunt Rochester Mike Katz Tom Carper	*Gubernatorial Debates 2023:* KY: Incumbent Andy Beshear(D) vs.State A.G. Daniel Cameron(R) vs.Ambassador Kelly Craft(R) vs.State Auditor Mike Harmon(R) LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited) vs.Jeff Landry(R) vs.Shawn Wilson(D) vs.John Schroder(R) vs.Sharon Hewitt(R) MS: Incumbent Tate Reeves(R) vs.Bill Waller(R,withdrew) vs.Brandon Presley(D) *Gubernatorial Debates 2024:* DE: Gov. John Carney (D, term-limited); vs. Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long (D) vs. County Exec. Matt Meyer (D) vs. State Rep.Mike Ramone (R) IN: Gov. Eric Holcomb (R, term-limited); vs. Sen. Mike Braun (R) vs. Suzanne Crouch (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Eric Doden (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Attorney General Curtis Hill (R, lost May 7 primary) vs. Jennifer McCormick (D) MO: Gov. Mike Parson (R, term-limited): vs. Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) vs. State Senator Bill Eigel (R) vs. Lt.Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) vs. House Minority Leader Crystal Quade (D) MT: Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) vs. Ryan Busse (D) vs. State Rep. Tanner Smith (R, lost June 4 primary)	*Gubernatorial Debates 2024 (continued):* NC: Gov. Roy Cooper (D, term-limited); vs. Lt.Gov. Mark Robinson (R) vs. Attorney General Josh Stein (D) vs. Treasurer Dale Folwell (R, lost March 5 primary) vs. Justice Michael Morgan (D, lost March 5 primary) vs. State Senator Andy Wells (R,withdrew) vs. Rep.Mark Walker (R, withdrew) ND: Gov. Doug Burgum (R, retiring) vs. State Rep. Rick Becker (R) vs. U.S.Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R) vs. State Sen.Merrill Piepkorn (D) NH: Gov. Chris Sununu (R, retiring) vs. U.S.Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R) vs. Mayor Joyce Craig (D) vs. Acting Gov.Chuck Morse (R) vs. Exec.Councilor Cinde Warmington (D) UT: Gov. Spencer Cox (R) vs. State Rep. Phil Lyman (R) vs. Minority Leader Brian King (D) VT: Gov. Phil Scott (R) vs. Lt.Gov.David Zuckerman (D, withdrew) vs. Selectman Peter Duval (D) vs. Commissioner Esther Charlestin (D) WA: Gov. Jay Inslee (D, retiring); vs. Attorney General Bob Ferguson (D) vs. U.S.Rep.Dave Reichert (R) vs. State Sen. Mark Mullet (D) vs. County Chair Semi Bird (R) vs. Hilary Franz (D, withdrew to run for U.S.Rep.) WV: Gov. Jim Justice (R, term-limited) vs. WV Attorney General Patrick Morrisey (R) vs. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams (D) vs. WV State Auditor JB McCuskey (R, withdrew) vs. WV Secretary of State Mac Warner (R, lost May 14 primary) vs. State Del. Moore Capito (R, lost May 14 primary)	Abortion Budget/Economy Civil Rights Corporations Crime Drugs Education Energy/Oil Environment Families/Children Foreign Policy Free Trade Govt. Reform Gun Control Health Care Homeland Security Immigration Infrastructure/Technology Jobs Local Issues Principles/Values Social Security Tax Reform War/Iraq/Mideast Welfare/Poverty [Title9]