Delaware will begin legal adult-use marijuana sales on August 1, 2025, a date which the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) said applies to all medical marijuana conversion licensees as well.
“The start of legal adult-use marijuana sales reflects the tireless efforts of our regulatory team and our strong partnerships with state agencies, industry stakeholders, and community leaders,” said new Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin. “Our focus is on building a safe, equitable, and accountable marijuana market that delivers real benefits to Delawareans. We will continue to issue conditional licenses to previously selected applicants to ensure they can begin operations once active.”
In 2023, Delaware enacted legislation legalizing adult-use recreational marijuana and establishing a comprehensive system for cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, and testing laboratories, with a focus on social equity applicants. Proposed regulations were released in May 2024 and finalized in September 2024 after two rounds of public comment. The Regulations of the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner define licensing requirements and operational standards for the industry.
“Delaware has taken a major step forward by launching a legal adult-use cannabis market that prioritizes equity, safety, and accountability,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “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. I’m proud we’re moving quickly and thoughtfully to build a cannabis market that reflects our values and expands opportunity for every Delawarean.”
In 2024, the General Assembly enacted additional measures to strengthen Delaware’s program. House Bill 334 expanded program parameters while House Bill 408 created a path for medical marijuana establishments to transition into the adult-use market. The conversion licenses came at a significant cost—$200,000 for cultivation and $100,000 for manufacturing or retail—which resulted in $4 million in critical funding to support social equity applicant start-up grants.
In October 2024, OMC announced it received 1,269 paid license applications during the application period from August 19 to September 30, substantially exceeding its projections.
In December 2024, OMC announced the successful applicants for 125 available licenses in its public license lottery.
