Legal Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Launch in Delaware Beginning Today

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Delaware begins adult-use cannabis sales in their state today.

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Beginning today in Delaware, adult-use cannabis sales are underway and available for purchase for adults ages 21 years old and older. Consumers in the First State are now able to legally purchase recreational cannabis and other cannabis products from cannabis retailers that are licensed in the state (1).

According to the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner’s (OMC) press release (1), the first stage of the adult-use cannabis sales is being carried out by a select group of medical cannabis compassion centers which have evolved into both the adult-use and medical cannabis marketplace. Cannabis consumers in Delaware are only allowed to purchase products from licensed retailers such as these centers which are both legal and regulated under Delaware’s laws (1).

“Today’s launch of adult-use cannabis sales by Delaware’s existing medical operators is an important milestone in the rollout of the state’s regulated cannabis market,” said Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin (1). “We’re grateful to all who have worked hard to make this moment possible and remain focused on bringing additional licensees online in the months ahead.”

The Marijuana Control Act and the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner created regulatory framework that allows medical cannabis compassion centers who have been granted conversion licenses, the ability to participate in adult-use cannabis sales (1). As the cannabis industry in Delaware is underway, there will be additional licenses offered to other retail facilities, product manufacturers, testing laboratories, and cultivators.

Cannabis was legalized in Delaware in 2023, becoming the 22^nd state in the US to do so (2). The OMC established comprehensive regulations in September 2024 to help guide the industry (1).

According to the press release $4 million was generated from the conversion license process to help start-up grants which will support social equity licensees. Additionally, during the application period which took place in 2024, more than 1,200 license applications were submitted. From those applications, 125 licenses were granted in a public lottery in December 2024 (1). As the industry continues to grow, the OMC will keep issuing both active and conditional licenses to other lottery winners on a “rolling basis” once background checks have been completed, as well as all other regulatory requirements and final inspection passes have been met.

“The OMC has worked closely with our medical marijuana operators to ensure a smooth transition to the adult-use market,” said Deputy Commissioner Paul Hyland (1). “Their ability to convert licenses has been instrumental in fast-tracking this launch. As more licensees join in the coming months, we will continue to focus on expanding access responsibly and fostering the growth of a strong and diverse marijuana industry in Delaware.”

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