Adult-Use Cannabis Sales to Launch in Delaware Next Month

The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) announced Tuesday that adult-use cannabis sales would commence in the state starting August 1.

Delaware lawmakers passed the state’s adult-use cannabis reforms in 2023.

Joshua Sanderlin, the state’s new Marijuana Commissioner, said the pending sales launch “reflects the tireless efforts of our regulatory team and our strong partnerships with state agencies, industry stakeholders, and community leaders.”

“Our focus is on building a safe, equitable, and accountable marijuana market that delivers real benefits to Delawareans,” Sanderlin said in a press release.

“This new industry will generate critical revenue to strengthen our schools, infrastructure, and public health systems, while creating real opportunities for entrepreneurs. This revenue also gives us a powerful tool to invest in the communities most impacted by the war on drugs, addressing past wrongs and ensuring that the benefits of this new market reach every corner of our state.” — Gov. Matt Meyer (D), in a statement

The first adult-use dispensary licenses were awarded in December. Earlier this year, however, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) denied the process for federal background checks as required by the state’s legalization policy, which sent lawmakers and officials scrambling to rework the program’s licensing requirements.