Delaware’s Struggling Marijuana Industry Gets a New Leader
After months of uncertainty, the Delaware marijuana office finally has a confirmed leader. Joshua Sanderlin, a lawyer and lobbyist with expertise in the cannabis industry, has been appointed as the new commissioner. Sanderlin’s appointment comes after a five-month interim period, during which the office was led by Paul Hyland.
Sanderlin, the founder of Washington, D.C.-based Sanderlin Strategies, has a wealth of experience in the cannabis industry. His firm provides legal, business, and lobbying services to marijuana businesses in Maryland and the nation’s capital. He has consulted with clients in seven states and the District of Columbia since 2013.
Sanderlin’s task is to get the industry up and running. The process is currently in the background check phase, which was delayed by weeks due to the FBI’s holdup on fingerprinting. However, the issue has since been resolved, and license holders are now moving forward with their background checks.
As the new commissioner, Sanderlin has the authority to award conditional licenses to businesses that pass the background checks. These licenses will become active if the businesses can get up and running within 18 months. If not, they may be rescinded, according to state law.
The Delaware marijuana office is excited to have Sanderlin on board, saying they are “all excited to finally be fully staffed and ready to chart a new course in Delaware’s marijuana industry.” Governor Matt Meyer praised Sanderlin’s experience and expertise, saying he is “uniquely qualified to launch Delaware’s adult-use marijuana market quickly and correctly.”
With Sanderlin at the helm, the industry is hoping to finally get moving. The previous spring 2025 target to open businesses was missed, and little progress has been made since then. However, with Sanderlin’s leadership, Delaware is hoping to make up for lost time and establish a thriving marijuana industry.
