Delaware Governor Touts Nearly $1 Million In Marijuana Sales During State’s First Weekend Of Adult-Use Market

The governor of Delaware is touting the state’s first “successful” weekend of adult-use marijuana sales, with total purchases for medical and recreational cannabis totaling nearly $1 million—and compliance checks demonstrating that the regulated market is operating as intended under the law.

From Friday to Sunday, Delaware saw $903,000 worth of marijuana purchased as licensed retailers and dispensaries, which the governor’s office described as a “measurable increase in sales pace that demonstrates robust demand and a successful market launch.”

“Delaware’s first weekend of adult-use cannabis sales has shown that our state is ready—and eager—for a well-regulated, responsible market,” Gov. Matt Meyer (D) said in a press release on Wednesday.

“This moment reflects our commitment to growing Delaware’s economy, strengthening our communities, and prioritizing public health,” he said. “Now, we have a real opportunity to reinvest this revenue directly into neighborhoods across our state, ensuring Delaware becomes a national model for cannabis quality, innovation, and fairness. I’m proud we’re moving thoughtfully and deliberately to get this right for all Delawareans.”

Delaware’s first adult-use marijuana shops officially opened for business on August 1, with a handful of existing medical cannabis operators able to service consumers 21 and older.

This comes about two years after marijuana legalization was enacted into law under former Gov. John Carney (D).

The current governor’s office provided some additional details about the opening weekend sales, including a breakdown of purchases by product type.

As in other legal states, flower products dominated, reaching $509,042 in sales (or 56 percent of overall sales).That was followed by extracts for vaping ($233,267), infused edibles ($123,768) and pre-rolls with concentrates ($16,212).

The state also emphasized that regulators “conducted routine compliance checks throughout the weekend, finding dispensaries operating within established guidelines,” and there were no reports of “significant incidents.

“Retailers demonstrated adherence to Delaware’s comprehensive regulatory framework for adult-use cannabis sales,” it said. “The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OCM) continues to monitor sales activity and work closely with licensed operators to ensure ongoing compliance with state regulations on product testing, inventory tracking, and customer verification.”

Officials said revenue from the 15 percent excise tax on adult-use cannabis sales “suggests the program will contribute significantly to funding regulatory oversight, public health initiatives, and community programs throughout the state.”

Delaware Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin said the state’s “transition to adult-use cannabis sales has exceeded expectations.”

“More than $900,000 in sales over the first three days reflects not only strong consumer demand, but also the readiness and professionalism of our licensed operators to serve the public safely and responsibly,” he said.

State Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Joshua Bushweller added that the “successful launch positions Delaware to realize the economic benefits of regulated cannabis sales while maintaining our commitment to public safety and responsible implementation.”

Ahead of the sales roll-out, the governor last month toured one of the state’s cannabis cultivation facilities, praising the quality of marijuana that’s being produced, which he said will be the “French wine of weed.”

The launch of the legal market comes amid some controversy, however, with critics alleging that allowing medical operators to start adult-use sales ahead of other license applicants is unfair. There’s also ongoing tension between state and local officials over who will ultimately control zoning rules for the new industry—a dispute that could have major implications for the rollout of future stores.

Dozens of other would-be retailers that have either already received licenses or are still awaiting issuance will need to wait for further regulatory approvals until they can open their doors—a situation that’s frustrated some advocates.

Eventually 30 stores are planned across the state, including 14 in New Castle County, 10 in Sussex County and six in Kent County.

As for zoning restrictions for the stores, the governor said last month that there’s a tension between two competing priorities when it comes to a marijuana-related zoning proposal, SB 75, that’s currently awaiting action on his desk.

The bill would overrule local zoning authority and make it easier for cannabis businesses to set up shop.

On one hand, the governor said he’d like to roll out the state’s legal cannabis program as quickly as possible. On the other, as a former county executive, he said it’s important municipal governments retain control over local land use decisions.

Two lawmakers who led the push to legalize marijuana are separately seeking input from consumers and businesses about the market launch. Paradee, the sponsor of SB 75, and House Majority Whip Rep. Ed Osienski (D)—the primary sponsor of the state’s 2023 legalization bills—put out a new online form this month for residents to share thoughts and feedback about the cannabis program anonymously.

The idea is to identify any hiccups that lawmakers might need to address when they return for next year’s legislative session.

OCM initially projected that recreational sales would start by March, but complications related to securing an FBI fingerprint background check service code delayed the implementation. Lawmakers passed a bill in April to resolve the issue, and the FBI subsequently issued the code that the stat’s marijuana law requires.

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Late last year, OMC held a series of licensing lotteries for cannabis business to start serving adult consumers.

A total of 125 licenses will ultimately be issued, including 30 retailers, 60 cultivators, 30 manufacturers and five testing labs. Last year, regulators also detailed what portion of each category is reserved for social equity applicants, microbusinesses and general open licenses.

Regulators have also been rolling out a series of proposed regulations to stand up the forthcoming adult-use cannabis industry.

Meanwhile, Carney raised eyebrows in January after making a questionable claim that “nobody” wants cannabis shops in their neighborhoods, even if there’s consensus that criminalization doesn’t work.

The then-governor last year signed several additional marijuana bills into law, including measures that would allow existing medical cannabis businesses in the state to begin recreational sales on an expedited basis, transfer regulatory authority for the medical program and make technical changes to marijuana statutes.

The dual licensing legislation is meant to allow recreational sales to begin months earlier than planned, though critics say the legislation would give an unfair market advantage to larger, more dominant businesses already operating in multiple states.

In October, Carney also gave final approval to legislation to enact state-level protections for banks that provide services to licensed marijuana businesses.

Delaware’s medical marijuana program is also being significantly expanded under a law that officially took effect last July.

The policy change removes limitations for patient eligibility based on a specific set of qualifying health conditions. Instead, doctors will be able to issue cannabis recommendations for any condition they see fit.

The law also allows patients over the age of 65 to self-certify for medical cannabis access without the need for a doctor’s recommendation.

Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.