Delaware Governor And Congressional Lawmakers Condemn Drug-Related Search Of Student Athletes
May 11, 2022: Delaware’s governor and congressmen are taking issue with Georgia police stopping a bus of college lacrosse players for a faux traffic infraction and searching their personal bags in an unsuccessful search for marijuana or other illegal drugs.
The women’s lacrosse team from Delaware State University was returning home after a tournament when the incident occurred. Students think that because police threatened to arrest them if they found any illegal drugs, the black bus driver and players were targeted because of their race.
A video of the incident surfaced online just after a while of the whole scenario. An officer can be seen in the video saying that he wasn’t “looking for a little marijuana, but I’m pretty sure you guys chaperones will probably be disappointed if we find it.”
Delaware Governor John Carney, a Democratic governor who continues to oppose cannabis legalization despite legislative efforts to enact the reform, described the encounter’s video as “upsetting, concerning, and disappointing” as the story has garnered national attention.
In response to the Georgia police search, President Tony Allen of Delaware State University also defended the staff and students, stating that “nothing illegal was discovered” and that they “comported themselves with dignity throughout a trying and humiliating process.”
Such incidents are on the rise and this specific incident is making headlines as it is said to be rooted in racism. This incident prompted the lawmakers to initiate a bill to end the prohibition of cannabis possession.
