As your constituent, I urge you to work to override Gov. Carney’s veto on legalizing cannabis possession in Delaware. Without passing HB 371 THIS YEAR, thousands of Delawareans — disproportionately Black Delawareans — will continue to be subjected to the harms of cannabis prohibition. Study after study shows that arrests, searches, and citations for cannabis disproportionately target Black people despite nearly identical cannabis use rates compared with white individuals. Data analyzed by the Stanford Open Policing Project found in the first two legalization states —Colorado and Washington — there have been dramatic decreases in traffic searches. You have the power to stop these searches and police interactions, which are so often based on pretextual claims about the odor of cannabis, in Delaware. HB 371 has passed both chambers by more than 2:1 margins. Will you work to override the governor’s veto on HB 371 to ensure it becomes law this year?

I am deeply disappointed that Gov. Carney has vetoed HB 371 to legalize cannabis for adults in Delaware. This policy change is long overdue and supported by a strong majority of Delawareans. Nineteen other states, including New Jersey, have moved forward with cannabis legalization. Although more than 70% of Delawareans support legalizing cannabis, Delaware is lagging behind. As your constituent, I am writing to ask that you vote to override the governor’s veto on HB 371. Can I count on your vote?