Delaware Governor says marijuana will be “the French Wine of Weed” when the market opens soon.
The current medical marijuana businesses are preparing to open for adult use sales this Friday. Matt Meyer, a Democrat from Massachusetts, visited an adult-use cannabis facility to take a tour Wednesday. He commented on the model he believes will become a nationwide legalization standard.
“It’s another step forward in taking a substance that was illegal, illicit, caused a lot of safety problems in communities across Delaware and bring it out in the open—saying this is a freedom Delawareans should have,” he said.
Meyer declared, “We are like the French wine in weed”. “The quality of production—the regulation here—is so high quality that people will know, hey, if it comes from Delaware, it’s good, safe stuff.”
In a Thursday press release, the governor said that cannabis for adult use represents “a great opportunity to create jobs and grow our economy.” He also met with Delaware Technical Community College students who were participating in an industry training program.
Del Tech students who have already begun training for this industry show that it has a bright future. We’re committed to doing this the right way—with strong safety standards, quality training, and product testing that ensures Delawareans have access to safe, reliable cannabis,” he said, reiterating that “Delaware will truly be the French wine of weed.”
Office of Marijuana Commission Josh Sanderlin stated that his department “works closely with partners in the cannabis industry to create a framework which is effective and responsible.”
He said: “Thanks in part to the hard work of the team of the Office of the Marijuana Commission, we are making significant progress toward a market that is fair, safe and designed to benefit all Delawareans.”
Adult-use marijuana sales will start to roll out on Friday, with a number of stores operated by existing medical marijuana operators expected to be open for business to people 21 and older.
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.
Eventually 30 stores are planned across the state, including 14 in New Castle County, 10 in Sussex County and six in Kent County.
The governor stated earlier in the month that a conflict exists between the two priorities of a proposed marijuana-related zoning bill, SB 75. This proposal is currently on his desk and awaiting approval.
The bill would overrule local zoning authority and make it easier for cannabis businesses to set up shop.
The governor has said that he would like the legal cannabis program to be implemented as soon as possible. As a former County Executive, the Governor said that it was important for local governments to retain control of land use decisions.
Meyer can sign the law into effect, or veto the law. He could also allow it to be passed without his signature. In 2023, the then-Gov. John Carney (D) let HB 1 and HB 2—which legalized and regulated adult-use cannabis in Delaware—to become law without his signature.
Separately, two lawmakers that led the effort to legalize cannabis are seeking feedback from businesses and consumers about the launch of the market. 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.
This is done to determine any issues that may arise when lawmakers return next year for the legislative session.
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 fingerprint background checks service code have 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.
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Late last year, OMC held a series of licensing lotteries for cannabis business to start serving adult consumers.
A total 125 licenses are expected to be issued. This includes 30 retail stores, 60 cultivators and 30 manufacturers. The regulators detailed last year what percentage of each category was reserved for microbusinesses, social equity license applicants and open 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.
Policy change eliminates the limitations on eligibility for patients based on specific health conditions. In its place, doctors can recommend cannabis to treat any health condition.
Patients over 65 can also self-certify their medical cannabis use without a physician’s prescription.
Photo courtesy of the Delaware Governor’s office
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