Why Should Delaware Care?
After almost three years of establishing a recreational marijuana industry,  Delaware will begin its first day of legal adult-use sales on Aug. 1. With 12 dispensaries opening statewide, this new industry is expected to generate $280 million in taxes and fees, which will support other state programs.

Delaware is making history this week as it becomes the 22nd state to open its recreational marijuana market.

On Friday, Aug. 1, the state will roll out its long-awaited recreational adult-use industry, where consumers will be able to stop by already-established medical cannabis shops throughout the state to buy marijuana products. 

Though Delaware legalized adult-use marijuana more than two years ago, the market has faced multiple regulatory delays and local zoning restrictions that have hindered its launch.

The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, which regulates the industry, is still in the process of clearing licenses for 125 new marijuana business operators approved to operate in Delaware, covering cultivation, manufacturing, testing, and retail sales.

While new operators await final approval, the six existing medical marijuana dispensary companies, which have been serving patients since 2015, will be the first to open to meet the recreational demand. 

“This is a big step for local communities and for the state,” said Lee Evans, senior vice president of capital markets and communications for Columbia Care, one of the largest U.S. marijuana companies.  

Who can buy it?

Anyone age 21 or over can purchase marijuana as of Aug. 1. That includes both in-state and out-of-state residents with a photo ID, much as you would at a liquor store.

Remember that marijuana purchased in Delaware should be consumed in Delaware. Transporting it across state lines is still illegal, and bringing Delaware-purchased marijuana to a place where sales are still illegal does not provide any legal protection.

Where can I buy it?

On Friday, 12 locations will be open throughout the state for recreational cannabis purchase, with five shops operating in New Castle, three shops in Kent, and four in Sussex. 

What would have been 15 locations has been scaled back, as Fresh Cannabis medical dispensaries in Seaford and Milford will remain medical-only due to local town bans on recreational marijuana businesses. 

Additionally, a new Best Buds dispensary in Trolley Square, intended to serve both medical and recreational consumers, was hit with a cease-and-desist order from Wilmington officials earlier this month, as reported by the News Journal.

New Castle County 

Thrive (formerly known as First State Compassion)

Columbia Care Delaware

Field Supply 

Fresh Cannabis

The Farm

  • The Farm, 240 S. Dupont Highway, New Castle
  • https://www.thefarmde.com 
  • Friday: 10 am to 7 pm / Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm (Will allow early access from 9 am to 10 am for medical patients)

Kent County

Columbia Care Delaware

Best Buds

The Farm

  • 105 Irish Hill Road, Felton
  • https://www.thefarmde.com 
  • Friday: 10 am to 7 pm / Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm (Will allow early access from 9 am to 10 am for medical patients)

Sussex County

Thrive

Columbia Care Delaware

Best Buds

The Farm (new location)

  • 34164 Dupont Blvd, Frankford
  • https://www.thefarmde.com 
  • Aug 1. Hours – 10 am to 7 pm (early access from 9 am to 10 am for medical patients)
Recreational marijuana sales will be limited to existing medical marijuana dispensaries until new shops can get open, as soon as later this year. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY BRIANNA HILL

Smokable flower, edibles, vapes, hash, rosin, tinctures, and more, will be available at each location, many of which will have swag giveaways and food vendors present.

Recreational consumers will be able to legally purchase up to 1 ounce of smokable flower, 12 grams of concentrated cannabis, or 750 milligrams worth of edibles at a time.

Because marijuana is still illegal at the federal level, marijuana supply for each legalized state must come from within the state. Therefore, much of the supply will look similar across each of Delaware’s dispensaries.

How much can I expect to pay?

Dispensaries have said that prices will match current medical marijuana pricing, with the addition of a 15% sales tax.

Flower typically comes in a handful of sizes, ranging from 3.5 grams up to 1 ounce. At Thrive, the low end costs about $35 before tax, while Columbia Care in Lewes costs about $45.

A bag of five 10-milligram edibles costs about $18 before tax in most places, while half a gram of live rosin runs between $40 and $50.

How does that compare to other states?

Delaware’s 15% sales tax is higher than neighboring states that have already begun recreational marijuana sales.

Maryland’s tax moved to 12% last month while New Jersey has just a 6.625% sales tax.

Where can I consume marijuana?

Public consumption is still illegal in Delaware, and punishable by a civil citation that runs with a fine or possibly a couple days in jail. Driving under the influence is also still illegal.

Consumption is best left at home.

“It’’s similar to a drugstore purchase. It’s in a bag, they purchase it, and then they have to leave,” said Jennifer Stark, CEO and co-founder of The Farm. “It’s very regulated, there are cameras everywhere, so if someone is attempting to do it, they’re asked to leave.”

What’s the difference between recreational and medical marijuana?

There is no difference in the plant or products, but those who are registered with Delaware’s medical marijuana program do not pay the 15% sales tax on marijuana.

I’m a medical marijuana patient, should I be worried about supply?

Most operators will place a priority on medical marijuana patients and will offer separate service lines and early bird access for medical cardholders, with some even reserving specific products with higher potency for medical patients. 

Recreational customers may even see some popular items for medical patients come out of circulation in some stores. 

“We want to be able to support the medical patients through this whole transition,” said Alex Swartz, regional store director of Thrive, formerly known as First State Compassion. “If we get down to the last 20% of a certain product, we will keep that for medical only.”

Will stores run out on Friday?

Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner officials say they are confident that the supply of product will be able to meet the demand in the state during opening day; however, there seems to be some concerns around sales. 

“Many factors can impact the amount of cannabis sold on Aug. 1. It is our goal to minimize such factors where possible,”  Keila Montalvo, OMC spokeswoman, said in a statement to Spotlight Delaware. 

James Brobyn, owner of Field Supply, says he shares those concerns but believes operators have done the best they could to prepare for the market’s opening, given that Delaware diverted from its original rollout plan.

“Honestly, that’s what we’re all losing sleep over, to make sure we have enough. But I think that’s also our anxiety. My other anxiety is that no one shows up, right? So we have both concerns. I think we’ve done a really good job planning as best we could,” he said. 

Brianna Hill graduated from Temple University with a bachelor’s in journalism. During her time at Temple, she served as the deputy copy editor for The Temple News, the University’s independent, student-run...