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DOVER, DE- Delaware may soon have a new marijuana commissioner after more than three months without a permanent leader overseeing the state’s adult-use cannabis rollout.
Gov. Matt Meyer has nominated attorney Joshua Sanderlin, a cannabis attorney and policymaker, to head the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner and oversee Delaware’s recreational marijuana market.
In a statement to WBOC, Meyer supported Sanderlin’s nomination, saying, “His experience navigating complex regulatory systems and work across the cannabis industry make him uniquely qualified to launch Delaware’s adult-use marijuana market quickly and correctly.”
Sanderlin’s nomination comes at a critical time, as the launch of recreational cannabis sales remains delayed due to a background check issue tied to a flaw in state law.
Paul Hyland, the Acting Marijuana Commissioner, said concerns from federal authorities triggered the delay.
“The FBI rejected our proposal, basically saying it was overly broad.”
This setback pushed back the state’s original plan to open recreational cannabis retail stores in April — a deadline initially promised to state-issued license holders.
Zoe Patchell of the Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network said the repeated delays have frustrated advocates and small business owners, stressing the industry’s need for progress with the new nominee.
“We’ve seen all the deadlines for operational licensing for new businesses missed so far. So we’re really eager to hopefully get things back on track with the new commissioner.”
Lawmakers have since passed House Bill 110, which clarifies the background check language and has cleared both chambers of the General Assembly.
Still, questions remain about when the adult-use market will officially launch.
Hyland said the decision would fall to the new marijuana commissioner if confirmed.
“That’s a conversation we’re going to have with the new commissioner, looking at the whole industry as far as who’s ready.”
Sanderlin’s nomination now heads to the Senate Executive Committee. It will move to a full vote in the Delaware Senate if approved.
”}]] Delaware may soon have a new marijuana commissioner after more than three months without a permanent leader overseeing the state’s adult-use cannabis rollout. Read More
