The seven operators of medical marijuana have all converted to the adult use cannabis market, and will open over 10 stores in August.
By Brianna Hill, Spotlight Delaware
Delaware’s officials confirmed Tuesday that the state will start selling recreational marijuana on August 1st. This marks the beginning of the much-anticipated roll-out of this $280 million business.
The first customers will likely be those who already have medical marijuana shops, since the legal cannabis market is still developing and there are not yet dozens of businesses that have been licensed to sell recreationally-only.
This decision has already been criticized by residents and advocates who claim that it unfairly disadvantages other businesses.
Since years, dispensaries of medical marijuana have denied seeking out the licenses at that time. They did this to obtain an early-adopter’s advantage on the recreational market. This is now happening.
It was the existing dispensaries that lobbied against new competitors and for them to be allowed to sell before any other businesses. [Office of the Marijuana Commissioner]-caused delays, they will end up with first sales and absolutely no competition,” Zoë Patchell, president of the Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network, which advocated for years for legalization, wrote in a Facebook post.
Delaware medical marijuana dispensaries
Jacob Owens Spotlight Delaware Source: Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner Created using Datawrapper
- First State Compassion–Wilmington, 37 Germay Drive, Wilmington http://firststatecompassion.com
- First State Compassion–LewesLewes – 12000 Old Vine Boulevard, Unit 102
- http://firststatecompassion.com
- Fresh Cannabis635 N. Dupont Bldg.
- https://freshdelaware.com/
- Columbia Care DelawareSmyrna – 200 S. DuPont Bldg.
- https://col-carede.com/
- Columbia Care Delaware, 5606 Concord Pike, Wilmington
- https://col-carede.com/
- Columbia Care DelawareRehoboth Beach 36725 Bayside Outlet Drive, suite 760
- https://col-carede.com/
- Field Supply, 4543 Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington
- https://thefieldsupply.com
- Fresh Cannabis800 Ogletown Road Newark
- https://freshdelaware.com/
- Fresh CannabisSeaford, 22983 Sussex Highway
- https://freshdelaware.com/
- The FarmFelton, California, United States, 95 Irish Hill Road
- https://www.thefarmde.com
- The FarmNew Castle, New Castle, 240 S. Dupont Highway
- https://www.thefarmde.com
- The Best BudsDover: 516 Jefferic Blvd.
- https://www.bestbuds.com
- Enjoy Best Buds23 Georgetown Plaza is located in Georgetown
- https://bestbuds.com
Delaware’s legalized adult-use cannabis industry in 2023 allowed 125 licensees across the state to conduct business, including testing, retail sales, and manufacturing. More than 1,200 people applied for the lottery that selected these operators at the end last year.
To enter the lottery, individuals must submit detailed application forms and pay fees. Most applications cost around $5,000. Active licenses can be as high as $10,000.
Medical marijuana operators seeking to enter the recreational market were required to pay steep conversion fees—$100,000 for retail or manufacturing licenses and $200,000 for cultivation.
The state created a reimbursement fund consisting of $4,000,000 for those who had prior marijuana convictions, or were from communities that have been disproportionately affected by marijuana enforcement.
Since March, the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner has been informing business owners when the sales of marijuana could begin legally.
The launch of the market was initially scheduled for April, but it faced delays when the state did not receive FBI approval to run background checks on licensed individuals.
Keila Montagalvo, OMC’s spokeswoman, said that 43 individuals had passed their background check as of 18 June. No response was received from the OMC to inquiries about the number of conditional licenses issued.
Even though a date has been set for the official start of recreational sales, lawmakers in state legislatures are still working to amend existing laws.
It was allowed by law for municipalities to ban marijuana businesses within their borders and counties to have broad powers to determine where marijuana shops could be located. However, these allowances led to a third Delaware town and city to refuse to allow marijuana shops to operate and Sussex County placing significant restrictions.
The bill that would reduce these restrictions, which has now passed the House of Representatives and Senate and awaits Governor’s approval. Matt Meyer (D).
Seven medical marijuana companies have now converted their locations to sell adult-use cannabis. They will all be open in August.
The early start of medical marijuana companies could be a significant advantage in the marketplace, given the obstacles that other licensees face, such as strict local zoning regulations, delays with funding social equity applicants, and conditional licensing approvals pending.
Our focus is to build a marijuana market which delivers tangible benefits for Delawareans. Joshua Sanderlin said that the new Delaware marijuana commissioner will issue conditional licences to applicants who have already been selected to make sure they are able to begin operating once licensed.
Spotlight Delaware was the first to publish this story.
According to new research, 8 out of 10 marijuana consumers use the drug as an alternative for prescribed drugs.
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