Keep Your Pot Out Of Sight, Delaware Cop Advises As State Sens. Urge Congress To Reschedule Marijuana

The latest push to move cannabis from a Schedule I controlled substance comes from a bipartisan group of Delaware lawmakers, reported Delaware Public Media.

State Rep. Jeffrey Spiegelman and Sen. Eric Buckson authored a letter signed by 14 other lawmakers to US Senators Chris Coons, Tom Carper and Rep. Lisa Blunt-Rochester, urging them to support federal legislation to reschedule marijuana.

"So you've got the federal and state governments absolutely head to head on this issue," Spiegelman said. "And frankly, I think the federal government is in the wrong. I think we should be studying this."

The letter sought support for the federal SAFE Act, a cannabis banking bill that was reintroduced last week in Congress by Senators Jeff Merkley (D), Steve Daines (R), US Representatives David Joyce (R) and Earl Blumenauer (D).

"Certainly, that is a step in the right direction, I mean, again, this is the only medication that I would get for which I would have to pay cash," Spiegelman said. "And so having this to allow the businesses, the Department of Finance, and patients as well as now recreational users, will be able to avail themselves of modern banking technology."

Police Official Advises To Keep Weed Out Of Sight

Meanwhile, Delaware recently became the 22nd state to legalize recreational cannabis when Governor John Carney (D) announced he would allow two companion cannabis legalization bills to become law without his signature.

With the new law being enacted, the State Police are taking a case-by-case approach in terms of cannabis DUI investigations.

Though conducting a search based solely on the smell of marijuana is no longer justified if a driver shows evident signs of impairment, Delaware State Police (DSP) can act, reported the news outlet.

DSP Senior Corporal Leonard DeMalto said that with the new marijuana law being enacted, they're trying to figure things out.

"Possessing marijuana in a personal use quantity is legal, but let's be safe about it," he said. "Let's not put others in jeopardy, let's not drive around under the influence of anything, and not only putting yourself at risk but putting others on the road at risk too."

DeMalto stressed the importance of secure marijuana packaging.

"Even if it's in the car and it's visible, I mean, it's illegal now, but it's just like alcohol, he said. "It might be your best bet to just keep it in the trunk, keep it contained, wrapped up, however, you want to keep it, as long as it is under an ounce you should be fine."

Photo: Courtesy of Wesley Gibbs on Unsplash