Delaware
CANNABIS DISPENSARY REGULATIONS FOR DELAWARE
In Delaware, the Office of Medical Marijuana (OMM) oversees the licensing of cannabis businesses and manages the medical marijuana card program for patients. The OMM evaluates and approves licensing applications from prospective cannabis business owners and manages the program for medical marijuana patients.
Opening a cannabis dispensary in Delaware involves adhering to state regulations, obtaining relevant licenses and permits, and developing a sound business plan. With cannabis laws evolving across the United States, many entrepreneurs are eager to enter this rapidly expanding industry.
In Delaware, three types of dispensary licenses are available for cannabis businesses:
- Compassion Center: Allows dispensaries to cultivate, process, and sell medical marijuana to registered patients in Delaware.
- Standalone Dispensary: Permits dispensaries to sell medical marijuana to registered patients but does not allow cultivation or processing.
- Testing Facility: Issued to laboratories that test cannabis products for safety and potency, as required by state regulations.
Opening a dispensary in Delaware can be costly. Applicants must pay a bi-annual, non-refundable license application fee of $5,000. If certified, they must also pay a bi-annual license fee of $40,000. The total cost of opening a dispensary is estimated to range from $500,000 to $1 million or more, depending on various business-specific factors. The OMM provides guidance and resources to ensure compliance and support the growth of a safe and regulated cannabis market in Delaware.
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CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN DELAWARE
Delaware has a limited history with cannabis legalization. In 2011, the state passed a medical cannabis law, which allowed for the use of cannabis for certain medical conditions with a doctor’s recommendation. However, the implementation of the program was delayed by regulatory challenges and legal disputes, leading to a slow rollout of medical cannabis sales. The first medical marijuana clinic in Delaware opened in Wilmington in June 2015.
Between 2017 and today, there were several attempts to legalize recreational marijuana. These bills failed to recieve the required number of votes in the Delaware legislature. During May 2022, the Delaware General Assembly passed a bill legalizing cannabis for recreational use, however, the bill was vetoed by the state’s governor, John Carney, on May 24th of the same year.
As of April 2023, Delaware has become the 22nd state to legalize recreational marijuana, following the lead of its neighboring states who have recently taken similar steps. Delaware’s cannabis policy has been shaped by its proximity to neighboring states that have also legalized cannabis, such as New Jersey and Maryland.