The Delaware Senate has approved a House-passed bill that would let existing medical marijuana businesses in the state begin selling cannabis to adults, sending it to the governor.
The reform is meant to allow recreational sales to begin months earlier than planned, though critics say the legislation would give an unfair market advantage to larger, more dominant businesses already operating in multiple states.
Just two days after advancing through the Senate Judiciary Committee, the bill from Rep. Ed Osienski (D) and Sen. Trey Paradee (D) cleared the full chamber in a 16-5 vote on Thursday.
If signed by Gov. John Carney (D), it would let current medical marijuana providers convert to dual-use licensees that could serve both registered patients and adults over 21. Fees from the license conversions—which are estimated to bring in more than $4 million—would be used for financial assistance to social equity-owned cannabis businesses.
HB 408 would create a “conversion license” category, laying out requirements for medical cannabis businesses to apply and also stipulating that the applicants who are denied due to local bans can apply for general licenses for a new location, which must be approved as long as they meet the requirements.
Prospective conversion licensees
