Delaware’s cannabis industry and the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner are diving head first into the state’s highly anticipated cannabis business licensing round. Originally set to open on September 1st, the application portal was rescheduled to open on Monday, August 19th, giving potential applicants less time to prepare but also a unique opportunity to get ahead in the process. In another surprising turn of events, Delaware’s cannabis application portal opened TODAY!
Delaware is set to issue a total of 125 cannabis licenses across various license types, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to enter or expand within the state’s cannabis market. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:
LICENSE TYPES AND CATEGORIES
There are three business types available to apply for in Delaware’s cannabis licensing round for recreational marijuana, not to be confused with the actual license types (such as cultivation, dispensary, etc.).
Must own 51% of the business and be a Delaware resident. Applicants must meet specific criteria outlined in the state’s regulations, designed to promote equity in the cannabis industry.
- Microbusiness
Limited to no more than 10 employees. Must have resided in Delaware for 5 out of the last 10 years. Smaller than 2,500 square feet and limited to 1,000 plants per month.
- Open Category
Open to all applicants without specific residency or ownership restrictions.
Breakdown of Available Licenses
- Retail Licenses: A total of 30 licenses will be awarded, split evenly between open category (15) and social equity (15).
- Cultivation Licenses: Up to 60 licenses will be issued, divided among microbusinesses (20), social equity applicants (20), and the open category (20).
- Manufacturer Licenses: Up to 30 licenses will be available, again divided evenly across microbusinesses, social equity, and open categories (10 each).
- Testing Laboratory Licenses: Up to 5 licenses, with 3 available in the open category and 2 reserved for social equity applicants.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Delaware’s cannabis licensing round opened today, August 16th, and will close on September 30th. Importantly, you do not need to have a property solidified to apply, which allows greater flexibility for applicants. The application process will require the completion of approximately five narratives, allowing applicants to demonstrate their qualifications and business plans. Following the close of the application round, a lottery will be held in October to determine the 2024 qualifying applicants.
KEY DATES AND TIMELINES SUMMARIZED
- JUNE 3, 2024: 30-day public comment period closed
- JULY 2024: Regulations finalized and adopted
- AUGUST 16, 2024: The OMC began accepting applications for all licenses
- NOVEMBER 1, 2024: The OMC begins issuing up to 60 Cultivation Licenses
- DECEMBER 1, 2024: The OMC begins issuing up to 30 Product Manufacturing Licenses
- MARCH 1, 2025: The OMC begins issuing up to 30 Retail Licenses and 5 Testing Facility Licenses
DON’T WAIT UNTIL IT’S TOO LATE, GET STARTED NOW!
This accelerated timeline means that potential applicants should start preparing now to ensure they meet all requirements and can submit a strong application. The move to open the portal earlier than anticipated signals Delaware’s commitment to moving forward with its cannabis program and opening the market to a diverse range of participants. Don’t miss out on this opportunity—prepare your application and be ready to submit by September 30th!
Contact Canna Business Services, Delaware’s top cannabis consultant, for support in preparing an application for a recreational marijuana business in Delaware today!
