DELAWARE — The rollout of Delaware’s legal marijuana industry, initially planned for this spring, faces delays after the FBI denied the state’s request to conduct mandatory criminal background checks. The denial stems from Delaware’s law lacking specific language on who must undergo screening. The FBI ruled that without explicitly defining licensees and employees subject to background checks, the state’s statute does not meet federal requirements.
To comply, Delaware must revise its law to specify which individuals require screening, mandate fingerprinting, and authorize the FBI to use its records. State officials are now working with lawmakers to draft legislation addressing these concerns. Advocates for cannabis legalization have criticized the federal government’s involvement, arguing that the requirement creates unnecessary roadblocks for business owners. Some have expressed doubt that revising state law will lead to meaningful progress, citing broader federal opposition to marijuana legalization.
