The state is preparing to launch its commercial retail market on August 1 and two Delaware lawmakers, who spearheaded the effort to legalize cannabis in the state, are looking for input from the public.
It is the idea to find any problems that legislators may need to fix when they return to their respective chambers for next year’s session.
House Majority Whip Rep. Ed Osienski (D)—the primary sponsor of HB 1 and HB 2—and Sen. Trey Paradee (D), who also sponsored the legalization legislation, have put out a new online form for residents to share thoughts and feedback anonymously.
The input form is hosted on the Delaware Senate Democrats’ website. It says, “Whether you are a consumer or retailer, we would like to know your experiences with Delaware’s adult-use marijuana sale rollout.”
Delaware Online first reported the lawmakers’ intention to conduct the outreach. “So that we can better advocate any necessary policy adjustments when we return to the state legislature in 2026.”
Lawmakers in 2023 passed HB 1 and HB 2 to legalize and regulate adult-use cannabis—bills that then-Gov. John Carney, a Democrat, allowed the bills to pass without signing them.
Last month, regulators announced that the sale of legal cannabis to those 21 years and older will begin August 1.
In a recent press release, Marijuana Commission Joshua Sanderlin stated that “the start of legal adult use marijuana sales is a reflection of the tireless efforts and strong partnerships of our regulatory teams and with State agencies, Industry stakeholders and Community Leaders.” He added that Delaware’s main focus was “to build a safe and equitable marijuana market which delivers real benefits for Delawareans”.
All seven Delaware medical marijuana retailers, who have now converted to adult-use retail stores, will offer products. At least 13 retail locations are expected to open in the next month for adult-use sales.
The Current Gov. Matt Meyer, a Democrat, has commended the move, saying recently that Delaware “has taken a big step forward in launching a legally-regulated adult use cannabis market which prioritizes safety, equity and accountability.”
Governor said: “This industry is going to generate vital revenue for our schools, public health system, and infrastructure while also creating opportunities for entrepreneurs.” The governor said that “this revenue gives us an important tool for investing in communities most affected by the drug war, correcting past wrongs, and making sure the benefits reach all corners of our state.”
The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner of the State (OCM) had initially predicted that the recreational sale of marijuana would begin in March. But complications relating to the FBI’s fingerprint background check code delayed the implementation. Lawmakers passed a bill in April to resolve the issue, and the FBI subsequently issued the code that the stat’s marijuana law requires.
Late last year, OMC held a series of licensing lotteries for cannabis business to start serving adult consumers.
Total of 125 licences will eventually be issued. This includes 30 retailers and 60 cultivators. There are also 30 manufacturers. And five labs for testing. In the past, regulators have also specified how much of each license category will be reserved for applicants who are socially responsible, small businesses, and those with general open licensing.
Regulators have also been rolling out a series of proposed regulations to stand up the forthcoming adult-use cannabis industry.
Carney also raised eyebrows after claiming in January, that “nobody”, even though there is consensus on the failure of criminalization, wants to see cannabis shops open in their communities.
The then-governor last year signed several additional marijuana bills into law, including measures that would allow existing medical cannabis businesses in the state to begin recreational sales on an expedited basis, transfer regulatory authority for the medical program and make technical changes to marijuana statutes.
The dual licensing legislation is meant to allow recreational sales to begin months earlier than planned, though critics say the legislation would give an unfair market advantage to larger, more dominant businesses already operating in multiple states.
In October, Carney also gave final approval to legislation to enact state-level protections for banks that provide services to licensed marijuana businesses.
Delaware’s medical marijuana program is also being significantly expanded under a law that officially took effect last July.
This policy shift removes restrictions on patient eligibility that are based upon a set of health conditions. Doctors will now be able recommend cannabis for whatever condition they deem fit.
Patients over 65 can also self-certify their medical cannabis use without a physician’s prescription.
Side Pocket Images. Photo by Chris Wallis.