He is uniquely qualified because of his experience navigating the complex regulatory system and working in all areas of cannabis.
Spotlight Delaware by Jacob Owens
Gov. Matt Meyer, a Democrat from Delaware, nominated Joshua Sanderlin (an attorney with expertise in government regulation) as the next State Marijuana Commissioner on Monday.
Sanderlin is a newcomer to Delaware State Police, and has no apparent connection with the First State. He will be taking over for Robert Coupe who was previously Delaware State Police Superintendent.
Sanderlin’s selection could signal a change in the office of Marijuana commissioner. Former Gov. John Carney, who is opposed to legalizing recreational marijuana, has chosen a law enforcement veteran to lead the office. Meyer, on the other hand, has selected someone from the legal sector.
Meyer announced the selection in a press release. “Josh Sanderlin brings deep expertise, steady management, and a commitment to accountability and equity to the Office for the Marijuana Commission,” Meyer stated. His experience in navigating complicated regulatory systems, and his work within the cannabis industry makes him uniquely qualified for Delaware’s adult use marijuana market to be launched quickly and accurately. We’re confident that with Josh in charge, we can build a system which is transparent and safe for Delawareans.
Meyer had promised in his State of the State speech that he’d name a new Commissioner within a few days. The speech also stated that this industry can generate tax revenues of tens and millions of dollars annually. This money is meant to go directly to our schools libraries and local communities.
Sanderlin will inherit a office whose progress towards opening the recreational marijuana market has been slowed down by federal and state issues.
Sanderlin’s confirmation hearing in the Senate will not allow him to be interviewed by his office.
Sanderlin said in a LinkedIn statement, “As the confirmation process approaches, I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to shape a responsible, fair, and safe cannabis industry in Delaware.” I’m looking forward to working together with Delawareans and public officials to develop an industry that is beneficial to them.
Who is Sanderlin?
Sanderlin, an attorney with more than 15 years’ experience, is a government affairs specialist who advises businesses, investors and policymakers about regulatory compliance, licensing, and public policies. Ses work has been heavily focused on the emerging, highly-regulated industry of cannabis.
In Washington, D.C., he was involved in the legalization of marijuana for recreational use, a move that has caused friction with Congress ever since it passed. He was active on Twitter during the three-year span between 2017 and 2020, commenting actively about this fight.
Sanderlin criticized Republicans, such as U.S. Rep. Andy Harris(R-MD), for opposing giving more autonomy to the District of Columbia in governing marijuana. Sanderlin supported a federal rescheduling marijuana in order to encourage more research on the drug and its wider use.
Sanderlin also advocated for the inclusion of hemp into the 2018 Farm Bill—a decision that has opened a loophole into the marijuana industry by creating derivatives that contain the intoxicating THC compound but don’t legally qualify as marijuana. Sanderlin also advocated for the inclusion of hemp into the 2018 Farm Bill–a decision that has opened a loophole in the marijuana industry by creating derivatives that contain the intoxicating THC compound but don’t legally qualify as marijuana.
Sanderlin currently serves as principal at Sanderlin Strategies PLLC. The firm is an advisory and legal firm that focuses on complex regulatory and legal landscapes surrounding marijuana. He also works on drafting compliance protocol, standard operating procedures and managing regulatory enforcement actions. His firm engages directly with state regulators and policymakers to help shape cannabis laws.
New York Post reports that he has also invested in the company, co-investing in a Newark consumption lounge along with the Wu-Tang Clan’s Raekwon. This business is called Hashtoria and allows customers to consume or smoke cannabis in the establishment, similar to coffeeshops found in Amsterdam.
Before that, he spent two years working at Cogent Law Group in D.C. where he focused on marijuana policy locally and worked to lobby for an end to the marijuana prohibition federally. Before that, he spent 10 years with Greenberg Traurig. This major law firm was responsible for civil litigation and compliance, as well as government affairs.
Sanderlin earned his law degree at the Columbus School of Law of Catholic University of America. He also holds degrees from Florida State University, Jacksonville University, and Jacksonville University. He interned at the Florida State Senate and in Bill Nelson, former Florida Republican U.S. senator.
Delaware market is in flux
Sanderlin would be in charge of an office which oversees over a half-dozen medical marijuana dispensaries, as well as a rapidly growing testing industry. It is also responsible for getting the state’s recreational market—approved by the state legislature nearly two years ago—up and running.
The industry was originally scheduled to start this month. However, a disagreement with the FBI about background checks has significantly hindered its opening. This dispute would have prevented criminals from exploiting a cash-based system.
It is now a matter of urgency for the legislature to fix what federal law enforcement agencies say they need in order complete all the necessary checks. But this process should have been completed by the end of the winter.
Operators will have to contend with Delaware’s permitting environment, which has been unfriendly to this burgeoning sector. The law that legalized recreational use allowed municipalities to restrict marijuana business operations in their areas, and the counties could dictate which locations they were permitted to operate. The law allowed municipalities to prohibit marijuana businesses from their jurisdictions, while counties could dictate where they were located.
Now, state legislators debate whether they should roll back these allowances so that the industry can have more choices.
Spotlight Delaware published this article first.
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Mike Latimer is the photographer.