Delaware Senate Passes Bill to Ease Marijuana Restrictions
The Delaware Senate has passed a bill aimed at easing local zoning regulations in counties like Sussex, making it easier for recreational marijuana shops to open. Senate Bill 75, which was passed on June 16, 2025, now heads to the House for consideration.
Recreational marijuana was legalized in Delaware in April 2023, but zoning laws in Sussex County have made it difficult for dispensaries to open. Supporters of the bill, primarily Democrats, argue that this goes against the spirit of the original legalization.
Senator Trey Paradee, the primary sponsor of the bill, stated that the current zoning restrictions have been a burden on the industry’s launch. He noted that some individuals have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not seven figures, in preparing to open their businesses, but are unable to do so due to the restrictions.
Paradee also pointed out that Delaware has over 360 liquor stores, many of which are located near churches and schools. He argued that allowing recreational cannabis stores to open would reduce the number of such establishments to less than 40 across the state.
However, Republican lawmakers like Representative Bryan Shupe argue that the state is overstepping its authority by trying to dictate zoning decisions to counties. Shupe cited recent state legislation that would reverse a Sussex County zoning decision and pave the way for a substation near 3Rs Beach as part of an offshore wind project.
Shupe also expressed concerns about one-party control in state government, stating that it leads to a lack of understanding of what is happening at the local level. He argued that this is a growing concern, regardless of which party is in power.
The bill would create statewide regulations for cannabis retailers, allowing existing medical marijuana dispensaries to expand into recreational sales with fewer restrictions. If passed, it would bring Delaware’s marijuana laws more in line with the state’s original intentions.
