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Delaware is moving forward with developing and regulating a legal cannabis business – but, there are concerns about the pace.
The Delaware Marijuana Control Act established the Office of Marijuana Commissioner, which developed the framework and held online lotteries for licenses in 2024. Tuesday, OMC pointed out that the deadline for selected applicants to submit required documents for background checks was the previous day, February 10th. Those who pass will be issued conditional licenses and be granted an 18-month period to become fully operational.
Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network Executive Director Zoë Patchell said that background checks for dozens of selected applicants for business licenses had not been completed at the time of a January meeting of the Delaware Marijuana Control Act Oversight Committee. Patchell is the Kent County advocate appointee to the committee.
“We understand that delays happen, but the implementation timeline which is already among the lengthiest in the country is now completely unattainable for new licensees,” Patchell said. “It’s extremely important how this issue is addressed.”
The Network is also concerned that existing medical marijuana establishments may get an edge, as they were given no clear guidance on when their conversion licenses become active. Legislation was approved last year to create a pathway for medical marijuana establishments, but the OMC said Tuesday that conversion licenses were not yet active.
Applicants were required to submit information for a comprehensive financial and background investigation, including:
Selected applicants were required to submit extensive documentation for a comprehensive financial and background investigation, including:
-Income tax transcripts;
-Authorization for the release of financial and background information from all financial institutions;
-Disclosure of long-term debt obligations;
-Details of financial institution relationships over the past 10 years;
-Disclosure of any bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings within the past 10 years;
-Business history, including current and former operations over the past 10 years;
-Civil litigation history, including all settled or closed legal actions within the past three years;
-Any history of license denials, suspensions, or revocations in Delaware or other jurisdictions within the past 10 years.
The Office of Marijuana Commissioner has been functioning with an acting commissioner since the first commissioner, Robert Coupe, resigned in January.
“The OMC remains committed to implementing a well-regulated, compliant, and equitable adult-use marijuana market in Delaware,” the Office of Marijuana Commissioner said in a statement Tuesday.
”}]] The Delaware Marijuana Control Act became law in 2023. It’s now 2025. When will it be possible for adults to legally buy and use marijuana? Read More
