Marijuana industry illustration

Delaware cannabis legalization panel issues warnings to state, including one about Sessions

DOVER, Del. — State finance officials are advising caution as lawmakers consider legalizing recreational marijuana use in Delaware.

At a task force meeting Wednesday, officials noted that any regulatory structure the state might set up could be pre-empted by federal law, and that U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions remains a staunch foe of legalization.

Using data from other states that have legalized marijuana, Delaware finance officials estimate that legalization could bring in anywhere from $9 million to $47 million in annual revenue.

It pot is legalized, finance officials say any cannabis revenues should be kept separate from the general fund and not built into baseline expenditures.

While eight states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational use of marijuana, Delaware could become the first state to implement legalization through the legislative process.