Delaware Sees High Demand for Marijuana Retail Licenses
The Delaware Office of the Marijuana Commissioner has received over 1,260 applications for marijuana business licenses, exceeding expectations. The application period, which ran from August 19 to September 30, generated over $4 million in revenue. The majority of applications were for “Open Retailer” and “Social Equity Retailer” licenses, with over 800 applications vying for the 30 available licenses.
The social equity applications are part of the state’s effort to address the disproportionate impact of past marijuana laws on certain communities. These licenses are intended to benefit individuals with past marijuana-related convictions and those living in areas disproportionately affected by these laws.
The applications will be reviewed to ensure they meet the qualifications, with the first lottery scheduled for October 24 for cultivation licenses. A separate, retail-only lottery is planned for late November or early December due to the strong interest.
The commissioner, Rob Coupe, expressed surprise at the high number of applications, stating that the word got out and the response was significant. He noted that the office will evaluate the market in August 2025 and may begin taking new applications.
The revenue generated from the applications will go towards the Marijuana Regulation Fund, which pays for the administrative costs of the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner. Any remaining revenue will be transferred to the Justice Reinvestment Fund, which supports social justice and civil rights initiatives.
Cities and counties in Delaware have imposed different regulations on the marijuana industry, with some banning recreational marijuana businesses altogether. The state’s Department of Finance, Department of Health and Social Services, and Department of Agriculture will also receive revenue from the tax on personal use marijuana.
