Delaware marijuana regulators released a second set of draft rules in preparation for the implementation of a legal market for adult-use cannabis next year.
On Wednesday, the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner published a draft regulation covering topics such as product tracking and transportation, health standards packaging, advertising, and packaging.
The office published a first round of draft regulations two weeks ago, which provided a framework for different types of cannabis business licenses and the requirements for the application.
The office said that it would regularly release draft rules in preparation for the implementation of legalization as a result of a pair marijuana bills signed by Gov. Jay Carney, a Democrat, allowed the marijuana bills to pass last year without his signature.
A public comment period for rules is open through March 29. Regulators have stressed that this won’t be the final opportunity to comment, and they plan to open a formal window once all rules have been finalized. This should happen between May 1 – 3.
Please take time to read the sections of the Regulations as they are posted. OMC will add new sections to the regulations in the coming weeks. Please check back and comment on the subsequent section releases,” said the office. Please be as specific as possible when suggesting changes.
Robert Coupe, the Delaware Marijuana Commission’s Commissioner, gave a preview of plans to publish first proposed rules at an earlier hearing in the month before the Joint Finance Committee of the Legislature.
He revealed that sales of retail marijuana in the state could not begin until March 2025. This is four months later than originally planned. Officials are also looking at the possibility of allowing medical cannabis dispensaries that already exist to serve adult consumers earlier.
Coupe stated that the current plan was to finalize the rules for the adult use cannabis program by the end of July, accept license applications from September and start approving the different types of licenses on a staggered basis in October. Cultivation licences could be granted in November. Manufacturer licenses would follow in December, and retailer and test licenses will come in March 2025.
The Delaware House of Representatives also approved a bill to expand significantly the state’s medical cannabis program last month.
Ed Osienski’s (D) legislation would change the state program in a number of ways, including by removing restrictions on patient eligibility that are based on specific health conditions. Doctors could instead recommend marijuana for any condition.
Patients over 65 years old could also self-certify their medical cannabis use without a physician’s recommendation.
—
Marijuana Moment tracks more than 1,000 cannabis and drug policy bills that have been introduced in state legislatures, and Congress. Patreon supporters who pledge at least $25/month gain access to our interactive charts, maps and hearing calendar.
Discover more about our marijuana bills tracker. Become a Patreon supporter to gain access.
—
Osienski, a former legislator in Colorado, gave advice last year to other state lawmakers who are pushing marijuana reform.
He said in May that the key was to continue working on it, and look at what other states had done. Then you can decide what is best for your own state.
He also urged legislators to meet with “affected agencies of state” such as the Departments of Health, Finance and Agriculture.
He said, “We had to have meeting after meeting in order to resolve a number of issues.”
Separately the Delaware Senate approved a separate resolution in March last year that urged the state’s representatives to to support legislation to end the federal prohibition of cannabis.
Carney , in 2022, vetoed an bill that was more specifically tailored , which would have clarified the fact that state law does not prohibit medical marijuana patients from purchasing, possessing, or transferring firearms.
Pew Analysis shows that eight out of ten Americans have a marijuana dispensary in their county, and shops ‘cluster’ near borders with illegal states
The first time Marijuana Moment was published, the post Delaware Officials Release New Draft Rules for Marijuana Tracking Advertising And Packaging as State Prepares to Launch Legal Market.
