The governor of Delaware says he’s still weighing the pros and cons of a bill that would overrule local zoning authority on marijuana and make it easier for cannabis businesses to set up shop—but he’s pledging that action on the legislation will happen “very shortly.”
Governor. Matt Meyer, a Democrat from Delaware, discussed with the media a recent conversation that he held with Colorado’s Governor. Jared Polis spoke to Matt Meyer (D) regarding the cannabis industry. They compared their respective roles, given that Colorado was much bigger and had more local jurisdictions.
Delaware’s cannabis for adult use market was launched in the first week of January. But legislation Meyer has yet to sign would change a number of key aspects of how marijuana businesses operate. The governor is still unsure about the proposal.
Meyer responded to a question about what would happen with the Senate bill introduced by Sen. Trey Paradee, (D), who was also the champion of legalization in the State. “Stay Tuned.” You’ll hear soon. “We will take action in the near future.”
Listen, I’m a former local government employee. I don’t think it’s appropriate that, when state government likes local government regulation, they say, ‘Yeah, we support it,'” the governor said. “And when the state government doesn’t like the regulation of local governments, it overrules them.”
It’s also important that the cannabis market be implemented for adults.
Meyer didn’t make it clear where he stands right now on this proposal. However, he did say that the possibility of allowing the bill to become law without Meyer’s signature is “always available”.
“I was talking to Governor Polis of Colorado about marijuana regulation just the other day and he’s just like, ‘Just let the counties do it.’ Meyer stated that he has “too many counties” to be able to keep track of. “I was asking, ‘What’s the regulation of counties?’ He’s like, ‘I have no idea.’ He’s like, ‘Some do it, some don’t. I’m not sure.
Delaware Public Media’s host stated: “But, he won’t run into the issue, where there is literally nowhere to place the facilities if enough zoning regulations are in effect. This is probably not an issue for him.
He agreed saying, “Colorado’s much bigger” and a “three mile [zoning] Delaware is a smaller state and this would make it more difficult to implement such a restriction. He said, “We are going to do what we can.”
Meyer noted that the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, which is based outside of Delaware and is one of the “leading thinkers” on the issue of regulatory responsibility for the marijuana industry.
Governor Meyer said, “He views it from the business and community perspective whereas Delaware traditionally has viewed it as an issue of public security.” Meyer’s list of reasons for legalization includes revenue generated by cannabis taxes.
First, the priority for him is to make sure that communities “are sustainable, safe and protected.”
“I believe there are many concerns in the community. My children are young. What are we up to? What are we doing? “I don’t how many of us have recently been to New York, or San Francisco but when you step outside you can smell that foul stench,” said he. This isn’t Delaware. “We are doing all we can to ensure that the existing communities continue to exist.”
“We have also a historical obligation.” The marijuana laws and enforcement of the law in Washington have been unfair. People of all colors haven’t been jailed as long for marijuana use and sale. It is important that whatever money we earn goes towards addressing this historical wrong.
Meyer added, “We are continuing to observe and monitor the communities to protect them as they grow and to keep people safe.”
While marijuana revenue might be “third” on his list, the governor recently touted the state’s first “successful” weekend of adult-use cannabis sales, with total purchases for medical and recreational marijuana totaling nearly $1 million—and compliance checks demonstrating that the regulated market is operating as intended under the law.
Delaware’s first adult use marijuana shops opened their doors on 1 August. A handful of medical cannabis providers are already able serve customers 21 years and older.
This comes about two years after marijuana legalization was enacted into law under former Gov. John Carney, (D).
Ahead of the sales roll-out, the governor last month toured one of the state’s cannabis cultivation facilities, praising the quality of marijuana that’s being produced, which he said will be the “French wine of weed.”
The launch of the legal market comes amid some controversy, however, with critics alleging that allowing medical operators to start adult-use sales ahead of other license applicants is unfair. There’s also ongoing tension between state and local officials over who will ultimately control zoning rules for the new industry—a dispute that could have major implications for the rollout of future stores.
Dozens of other would-be retailers that have either already received licenses or are still awaiting issuance will need to wait for further regulatory approvals until they can open their doors—a situation that’s frustrated some advocates.
Two lawmakers, who were at the forefront of the legalization movement in the state are now separately asking consumers and business owners for their input on the launch. Paradee, the sponsor of SB 75, and House Majority Whip Rep. Ed Osienski (D)—the primary sponsor of the state’s 2023 legalization bills—put out a new online form this month for residents to share thoughts and feedback about the cannabis program anonymously.
It is designed to help identify potential snags for lawmakers to fix when they return to the legislature next year.
OCM originally projected that the recreational sale would begin in March. However, complications with obtaining a FBI fingerprint background check code caused delays. Lawmakers passed a bill in April to resolve the issue, and the FBI subsequently issued the code that the stat’s marijuana law requires.
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Late last year, OMC held a series of licensing lotteries for cannabis business to start serving adult consumers.
An eventual total of 125 permits will be awarded, comprising 30 retailers, sixty cultivators, thirty manufacturers and five test labs. 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 licenses.
Regulators have also been rolling out a series of proposed regulations to stand up the forthcoming adult-use cannabis industry.
Meanwhile, Carney raised eyebrows in January after making a questionable claim that “nobody” wants cannabis shops in their neighborhoods, even if there’s consensus that criminalization doesn’t work.
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 any medical condition.
A patient over the age 65 may also be able to self-certify medical cannabis without needing a prescription from a doctor.
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