Delaware House Passes Marijuana Decriminalization Bill

The state House has approved a bill decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The legislation was approved Tuesday on a 24-to-14 party line vote, with no Republican support.

The bill, which now goes to the Senate, makes possession of an ounce or less of marijuana by adults a civil offense punishable by a fine of $100, rather than a crime.

Smoking marijuana in an area accessible to the public or in a moving vehicle would be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $200 and imprisonment of up to five days.

Supporters of the bill say it is an attempt to prevent otherwise law-abiding pot smokers from ending up with criminal records that could jeopardize their futures.

Opponents say it is sending the wrong message to children.