The Delaware House Economic Committee narrowly releases a bill to allow medical cannabis dispensaries to enter the recreational market. Delaware legalized recreational cannabis in 2023, and the state has been working to get the market up and running ever since.
The original bill did not allow medical dispensaries to enter the recreational market earlier than other businesses, but now State Rep. Ed Osienski (D-Newark) is proposing the six compassions centers in Delaware be offered a conversion license.
The license would cost $100,000, which would help fund capital needs for social equity license holders – a grant program for individuals who have been affected by prohibition looking to enter the cannabis businesses. Osienski says the bill could provide up to $3.2 million for the program.
Under the bill, compassion centers could apply for a conversion license as early as August of this year and would be given a 12-month period to pay the fee, with the license expiring after 4 years. "These licenses will provide a chance for the industry to have enough supply of cannabis to meet the April 2025 targeted date with the beginning of recreational market," Osienski said.
Read more at delawarepublic.org