Delaware cannabis licensees push state to let them open for business
- Delaware approved recreational marijuana nearly two years ago, but businesses are still waiting to open.
- The Delaware Cannabis Industry Association gathered outside Legislative Hall to urge lawmakers to allow regulated cannabis sales.
- Licenses have been awarded through lotteries, but FBI approval for fingerprinting authorizations is needed.
- More than 1,260 applications were received for adult-use cannabis licenses, with 114 licenses awarded so far.
With recreational marijuana approved in Delaware nearly two years ago, cannabis businesses, consumers and advocates are getting tired of waiting for the state to allow businesses to open.
More than 40 people joined the Delaware Cannabis Industry Association gathered outside the Legislative Hall to tell lawmakers that the state is allowing unsafe and unregulated marijuana sales while the regulated cannabis industry has been stalled since it was legalized in 2023, according to a report from Delaware Online.
All the licenses have been awarded through lotteries and background checks are being conducted.
The holdup, according to the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, is that the required fingerprinting authorizations from Delaware State Police through the State Bureau of Investigation still need FBI approval.
Delaware received more than 1,260 applications for adult-use cannabis licenses, including 800 for 30 retail operations. The state has awarded a total of 114 recreational marijuana licenses through two lotteries.