DOVER, Del. — Delaware’s retail cannabis market will officially open to the public on August 1, beginning with businesses that have transitioned from the state’s medical marijuana program. The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, led by Joshua Sanderlin, confirmed that licensed medical operators who completed state-approved conversions will be the first to offer adult-use products. This follows a phased licensing process launched after cannabis legalization was approved in 2023. Regulators spent much of 2024 finalizing standards for how cannabis must be grown, processed, sold, and tested. The rules, shaped by public input and legislative updates, were written to prioritize oversight, equity, and long-term sustainability.
Businesses applying for licenses submitted more than 1,200 applications during the initial window. Of those, 125 were selected through a random lottery to move forward. Companies awarded conversion licenses paid fees that were used to create a startup fund for applicants with limited resources or past barriers to entry. The first wave of retail sales will take place at existing medical marijuana locations that have met state conditions for conversion. Additional businesses will be allowed to open as they complete the operational requirements tied to their licenses. Delaware’s cannabis rollout includes plans to monitor compliance, support economic development, and reinvest in communities most affected by past enforcement. Officials say the August 1 launch marks the beginning of a new phase in the state’s approach to regulated cannabis access.
