Cannabis in Delaware

Part of a series on

Cannabis

* Arts
* Culture

* 420 (chan)
* Books
* Magu (deity)
* Names
* Religion
* Judaism
* Latter-day Saints
* Sikhism
* Smoke-in
* Spiritual use
* Sports
* Stoner film
* Stoner rock
* Terms

Chemistry

* Phytocannabinoids

* Main
* THC
* Dronabinol (INN)
* CBD

* Minor
* delta-3-THC
* delta-4-THC
* delta-7-THC
* delta-8-THC
* delta-10-THC
* delta-11-THC
* THCB
* THCH
* THCP
* CBDH
* CBDP

* Semi-synthetic cannabinoids

* THC-O-acetate

* Synthetic cannabinoids

* AM
* AM-2201
* CP
* CP-55940
* Nabilone
* Dimethylheptylpyran
* HU
* HU-210
* HU-331
* JWH
* JWH-018
* JWH-073
* JWH-133
* Levonantradol
* MDMB-CHMICA
* SR144528
* WIN 55,212-2

Pharmacology

* Cannabinoid receptors

* Cannabinoid receptor type 1
* Cannabinoid receptor type 2

* Endocannabinoids (activate cannabinoid receptors)

* 2-AG
* Anandamide
* NADA
* Virodhamine

Consumption

* Drinks
* Edibles
* Smoking
* Tea
* Conversion of CBD to THC
* Vaping
* Adult lifetime cannabis use by country
* Annual cannabis use by country

Economics

* Coffeeshop
* Cultivation
* Shop
* Social Club
* Grow house
* Grow shop
* Head shop
* Marijuana vending machine

Effects

* Dependence
* Driving
* Drug testing
* Effects of legalized cannabis
* Gateway drug theory
* Long term effects
* Medicine
* Memory
* Pregnancy
* Time perception

Forms

* Bhang
* Blunt
* Charas
* Flower essential oil
* Hashish
* Oil
* Hemp
* Beer
* Milk
* Oil
* Protein
* Hempcrete
* Joint
* Kief
* Roach
* Synthetic cannabis
* Tincture

Law

* Cannabis rights
* Legality of cannabis
* Timeline of cannabis law

* Cannabis and international law
* Centenary of Cannabis prohibition
* UN 2020 descheduling
* Single Convention on adult use

* Cannabis in the United States
* Legality
* Legal history
* Timeline
* Medical
* Non-medical

* Cannabis in Canada
* Cannabis Act
* Cannabis laws of Canada by province or territory
* Legal history of cannabis in Canada

* Elsewhere
* Cannabis by country
* Cannabis in Malta
* Cannabis in Spain
* Cannabis in South Africa
* Cannabis in Thailand
* Cannabis in the Netherlands
* Drug policy of Portugal

* Structural scheduling of synthetic cannabinoids

Variants

* Autoflowering cannabis

* Genus

* Cannabis

* Species

* Cannabis sativa
* Cannabis indica
* Cannabis ruderalis

* Strains

* Acapulco Gold
* Charlotte's web
* Kush
* Malawi Gold
* Sour Diesel

Related

* Drug culture
* Drug liberalization
* Illegal drug trade
* Psychedelia

* Cannabis portal
* Medicine portal
* Agriculture portal

* v
* t
* e

Cannabis in Delaware is legal for medicinal and recreational use. Possession and use by adults 21 and older became legal on April 23, 2023, with the first licensed sales occurring on August 1, 2025.[1]

## Medical cannabis (2011)

[edit]

In May 2011, Governor Jack Markell signed legislation allowing patients 18 and older to possess up to six ounces if they had certain qualifying medical conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, and conditions that cause intractable nausea, severe pain or seizures, among others.[2][3]

State data on patients who received marijuana cards in 2015 showed that the primary medical conditions being treated for cardholders were pain (36.3%), muscle spasms (21.6%), and cancer (9.3%).[4]

The first medical marijuana clinic in Delaware opened in Wilmington in June 2015. As of that date, some 340 Delaware residents held cards from the Delaware Health and Social Services, allowing them to purchase marijuana in order to treat their medical conditions.[3] However, as of 2016, medical-marijuana cardholders still struggled to obtain approved cannabis.[4]

The medical marijuana legislation provided that all three of the state's counties – New Castle, Kent, and Sussex – must have a licensed dispensary - known in Delaware as a Compassion Center - by January 1, 2013.[4] However, only a single facility (the Wilmington facility in New Castle County) had opened as of 2016.[4]

## Decriminalization (2015)

[edit]

In June 2015, Markell signed a law that decriminalized the possession of one ounce or less of marijuana by adults. Possession of marijuana remains a civil infraction that carries a $100 fine. The bill passed along party lines, with all Republican legislators opposing it.[5] Under the legislation, it remains illegal for minors (persons under age 21) to possess cannabis.[6] Additionally, smoking cannabis "in a moving vehicle, in public areas, or outdoors on private property within 10 feet [3 m] of a street, sidewalk or other area accessible to the public" is also a misdemeanor.[6]

The decriminalization bill took effect in December 2015.[6]

## Legalization proposals

[edit]

There have been a few attempts to legalize marijuana in Delaware, starting in 2017 by State Rep. Helene Keeley,[7] but such bills failed to receive the required number of votes in the Delaware legislature.[8] Some Democratic colleagues abstained from the vote, citing concerns over the bill's cost.[8]

The most recent push to legalize Recreational marijuana in Delaware was picked up by State Rep. Ed Osienski, who attempted to get a bill passed during the 2020 general assembly session, but failed due to a lack of votes and because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[9] Osienski reworked the bill to introduce it during the 2021 legislative session. Some of those changes included adding a 'social equity' and microbusiness license, through which Osienski says "they’ll get some additional help with applying and some reduction in fees."[9]

## 2022 Delaware General Assembly passage

[edit]

In May 2022, the Delaware General Assembly formally passed a bill to legalize cannabis for recreational use. On May 24, 2022, the Governor of Delaware, John Carney, vetoed the bill.[10] On June 7, the Delaware House of Representatives failed to override Carney's veto.[11]

## 2023 Delaware General Assembly passage

[edit]

Delaware HB1, a legalization bill, and HB2, to regulate and tax sales, were introduced on January 20.[12] HB1 was approved by the House on March 7,[13] and HB2 was approved on March 9.[14] The bills were approved by the senate on March 28, to be sent to the governor to become law.[15] HB 1 was transmitted to the governor on April 11, and HB2 on April 14.[16] Carney released a statement on April 21 that both bills would come into effect as law with neither his signature nor veto. He stated that although he still opposes legalization, it is time to "move on" from the issue.[17][18] Legalization came into effect on April 23, 2023.[19] The first licensed cannabis sales occurred over two years later on August 1, 2025.

## See also

[edit]

* Legality of cannabis by U.S. jurisdiction

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "'Major step forward': Adults in Delaware can now buy recreational marijuana". NBC10 Philadelphia. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
2. ^ "Delaware governor signs bill making it the 16th state to legalize medical marijuana". The Union. Associated Press. May 13, 2011. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021.
3. ^ a b Baker, Karl (June 26, 2015). "Delaware's first medical cannabis clinic opens". The News Journal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022.
4. ^ a b c d Masulli Reyes, Jessica; Rini, Jen (September 4, 2016). "Delaware medical marijuana patients in limbo". The News Journal. Archived from the original on January 17, 2022.
5. ^ Starkey, Jonathan (June 18, 2015). "Markell signs Delaware marijuana decriminalization bill". The News Journal. Archived from the original on August 9, 2022.
6. ^ a b c "Marijuana Decriminalization Law Takes Effect in Delaware". WCAU. Associated Press. December 18, 2015. Archived from the original on October 16, 2021.
7. ^ Dawson, James (March 19, 2017). "Bill legalizing recreational marijuana hitting Dover". Delaware Public Media. Archived from the original on April 1, 2017.
8. ^ a b Mueller, Sarah (June 27, 2018). "Legislation legalizing recreational pot fails in Delaware House". Delaware Public Media. Archived from the original on June 28, 2018.
9. ^ a b Battaglia, Roman (February 26, 2021). "Is Delaware poised to make recreational marijuana legal?". Delaware Public Media. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021.
10. ^ Newman, Meredith (May 25, 2022). "Delaware governor vetoes marijuana legalization bill, setting up historic showdown with Legislature". The News Journal. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
11. ^ Jaeger, Kyle (June 7, 2022). "Delaware House Upholds Governor's Marijuana Legalization Veto". Marijuana Moment. Retrieved June 8, 2022.
12. ^ "Delaware Lawmakers Introduce Marijuana Legalization Legislation for a Sixth Time". WBOC-TV. January 20, 2023.
13. ^ "Delaware House Approves Legalizing Recreational Marijuana". Associated Press. March 7, 2023 - via US News and World Report.
14. ^ Meredith Newman; Hannah Edelman (March 9, 2023). "Delaware House votes yes to create recreational marijuana industry with bipartisan support". Delaware News Journal - via Yahoo! News.
15. ^ "Senate lawmakers vote in favor of bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Delaware". WMDT. March 28, 2023.
16. ^ "Marijuana Legalization, Regulation Bills Delivered to Governor" (Press release). House Democrats of Delaware. April 14, 2023.
17. ^ "Governor Carney Releases Statement on House Bill 1 and House Bill 2". delaware.gov. Office of the Governor. April 21, 2023.
18. ^ "Delaware governor says he won't block marijuana legalization". Associated Press. April 21, 2023.
19. ^ Cris Barrish (April 21, 2023). "No veto: Recreational marijuana will become legal in Delaware Sunday without Gov. Carney's signature". Philadelphia: WHYY-FM.

* v
* t
* e

Cannabis in the United States

Federal law|

| Laws and bills|

* Marihuana Tax Act of 1937
* Controlled Substances Act (1970)
* Solomon–Lautenberg amendment (1990)
* Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act (2011)
* Cole Memorandum (2013)
* Rohrabacher–Farr amendment (2014)
* STATES Act (2018)
* Marijuana Justice Act (2019)
* Marijuana Freedom and Opportunity Act (2019)
* SAFE Banking Act (2019)
* MORE Act (2019)
* Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act (2022)
* Medical Marijuana and Cannabidiol Research Expansion Act (2022)

|

Court cases|

* Leary v. United States (1969)
* Ravin v. State (1975)
* Conant v. Walters (2000)
* United States v. Oakland Cannabis Buyers' Cooperative (2001)
* Gonzales v. Raich (2005)
* Moncrieffe v. Holder (2013)
* Americans for Safe Access v. Drug Enforcement Administration (2013)

Legality by
jurisdiction|

| Recreational use|

* Alaska
* Arizona
* California
* Colorado
* Connecticut
* Delaware
* Illinois
* Maine
* Maryland
* Massachusetts
* Michigan
* Minnesota
* Missouri
* Montana
* Nevada
* New Jersey
* New Mexico
* New York
* Ohio
* Oregon
* Rhode Island
* Vermont
* Virginia
* Washington
* Guam
* Northern Mariana Islands
* U.S. Virgin Islands
* District of Columbia

|

Medical use|

* Alabama
* Arkansas
* Florida
* Hawaii
* Kentucky
* Louisiana
* Mississippi
* Nebraska
* New Hampshire
* North Dakota
* Oklahoma
* Pennsylvania
* South Dakota
* Utah
* West Virginia
* Puerto Rico

Decriminalized|

* Hawaii
* Louisiana
* Mississippi
* New Hampshire
* North Carolina
* North Dakota

Illegal|

* Georgia
* Idaho
* Indiana
* Iowa
* Kansas
* South Carolina
* Tennessee
* Texas
* Wisconsin
* Wyoming
* American Samoa

Regulation|

* List of United States cannabis regulatory agencies
* Cannabis product testing
* Rescheduling

Related|

* Timeline
* Congressional Cannabis Caucus
* Politicians who have admitted use
* Cannabis on American Indian reservations
* Cannabis and the U.S. military
* Marijuana Policy Project
* NORML
* Harry J. Anslinger
* Dispensaries

* v
* t
* e

Agriculture in the United States

History|

* Rural American history
* African-American
* Black land loss
* Ancient Hawaiian aquaculture
* Cattle drives
* Columbian exchange
* Commercial tobacco
* Colonial
* Eastern Agricultural Complex
* Three Sisters
* Early history of food regulation in the United States
* Indentured servitude in British America
* Virginia
* Pennsylvania
* New World crops
* List of food plants native to the Americas
* Native American in Virginia
* Prehistoric agriculture on the Great Plains
* Prehistoric agriculture in the Southwestern United States
* Wine
* Plantation complexes in the Southern United States
* Range war
* Sheep wars
* Slavery
* Native American
* Colonial

Industries|

* Banana
* Bee
* Blackcurrant
* Cannabis
* Hemp
* Cherry
* Christmas tree
* Corn
* Cotton
* Cider
* Dairy
* Hop
* Poultry
* Rice
* Spinach
* Sugar
* Tea
* Tobacco
* Connecticut shade tobacco
* Wheat
* Wine

State, commonwealth,
or territory-specific|

* Alabama
* tobacco
* wine
* Alaska
* aquaculture
* cannabis
* wine
* Arizona
* wine
* cannabis
* Arkansas
* rice
* wine
* California
* almonds
* cannabis
* walnuts
* wine
* Colorado
* wine
* cannabis
* Connecticut
* cannabis
* wine
* Delaware
* cannabis
* wine
* Florida
* wine
* tomato
* mango
* Georgia
* wine
* Hawaii
* coffee
* sugar
* wine
* genetically modified food
* Idaho
* wine
* Illinois
* cannabis
* wine
* Indiana
* wine
* Iowa
* wine
* Kansas
* wine
* Kentucky
* hemp
* wine
* Louisiana
* wine
* Maine
* aquaculture
* cannabis
* wine
* Maryland
* cannabis
* wine
* Massachusetts
* cannabis
* wine
* Michigan
* cannabis
* cherries
* wine
* Minnesota
* wine
* Mississippi
* wine
* Missouri
* cannabis
* wine
* Montana
* cannabis
* wine
* Nebraska
* wine
* Nevada
* cannabis
* wine
* New Hampshire
* wine
* New Jersey
* cannabis
* wine
* New York
* cannabis
* wine
* New Mexico
* cannabis
* chile
* wine
* North Carolina
* hemp
* wine
* North Dakota
* wine
* Ohio
* wine
* Oklahoma
* wine
* Oregon
* wine
* cannabis
* Pennsylvania
* wine
* Puerto Rico
* cannabis
* coffee
* Rhode Island
* cannabis
* wine
* South Carolina
* wine
* South Dakota
* wine
* Tennessee
* wine
* Utah
* wine
* Vermont
* cannabis
* wine
* Virginia
* cannabis
* wine
* Virgin Islands
* cannabis
* Washington
* apples
* cannabis
* hemp
* wine
* West Virginia
* wine
* Wisconsin
* dairy
* wine
* Wyoming
* wine
* Guam
* cannabis
* Northern Mariana Islands
* cannabis
* Texas
* rice
* wine

By region|

* Southwestern United States
* Black Dirt Region
* Corn Belt
* Cotton Belt
* Fruit Belt
* Rice Belt
* Pacific Northwest oyster industry

Government
organizations|

* United States Department of Agriculture
* National Agricultural Statistics Service
* United States Census of Agriculture

Law and
politics|

* Agricultural policy
* Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954
* Agriculture Risk Protection Act of 2000
* California Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975
* Capper–Volstead Act
* Children's Act for Responsible Employment
* Farm bill
* Food Security Act of 1985
* Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990
* Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996
* Grain Futures Act
* Packers and Stockyards Act
* Pure Food and Drug Act
* Taylor Grazing Act of 1934
* Marihuana Tax Act of 1937

Health and
environment|

* Agricultural workers mental health
* Climate change
* Farmer suicide
* Genetically modified food
* Water supply
* Ogallala Aquifer

Crime|

* Adulterated food
* California nut crimes
* Cattle raiding

Labor|

* Bracero Program
* Convict leasing
* Farm Labor Organizing Committee
* H-2A visa
* Operation Blooming Onion
* United Farm Workers
* United Food and Commercial Workers
* Woman's Land Army of America

Other|

* Corn maze
* Ranch
* Cowboy
* Dude ranch

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template