Interested in licensing opportunities in Delaware? They legalized adult-use marijuana in April 2023 through the passing of HB 1 and HB2, which legalized recreational marijuana for individuals 21 years or older and allows for access through licensed businesses.

There are four types of marijuana businesses: Cultivation, Manufacturing, Retail, and Testing, each consisting of three types of licenses:

1. Open License
2. Social Equity License
3. Microbusiness License

The types of businesses and the number of licenses Delaware will be issuing are as follows:

• Marijuana Cultivation Facility (60 Cultivators)
• Marijuana Manufacturing Facility (30 Manufacturers)
• Retail Marijuana Store (30 Retailers)
• Marijuana Testing Facility (5 Testing Facilities)

Delaware has application fees and licensing fees and includes application details requiring the following information:

• Comprehensive Business Plan & Financial Proforma
• The Applicant and Managing Officers’ Experience, Training, and Expertise
• Safety, Security, and the Prevention of Diversion Plan
• Social Responsibility and Diversity Plan
• Employee Manual
• An Environment and Sustainability Plan
• Any Criminal, Civil, or Regulatory History Encountered by Other Entities the Applicant and Managing Officers have Previously Controlled or Managed.
• Suitability Of Proposed Location
• Attestation Signed by a Bona Fide Labor Organization Stating that the Applicant has Entered into a Labor Peace Agreement.

Delaware legalized medical cannabis in 2011 through a Legislative Bill, Senate Bill 17, which provided a legal way for qualifying patients in the state to access and utilize medical cannabis as a form of treatment for their ailment.

Delaware Compassion Care Centers is a vertically integrated license allowing a licensee to grow medical cannabis plants; extract, process, and produce medical cannabis products; and dispense/sell to registered patients.

There are currently 11 existing Compassion Care Centers within the state.

Are you interested in obtaining a cannabis business license in Delaware? Are you seeking guidance on developing an effective business plan? Call us to speak with an industry expert at 602-290-9424.