The Future of Medical Cannabis in Delaware

The Impact of Adult-Use Cannabis on a Medical State

With Delaware’s adult-use market on the horizon, it’s fair to ask, how will this impact the future of Delaware’s medical cannabis program? Here we’ll dive into our thoughts on if this will help or hurt the program, where current medical operators have an advantage, and how this may impact medical cannabis patients.

 

The State of the Medical Cannabis Program in the First State

A Robust Cannabis Program That Continues to Grow

The Delaware medical market is currently valued at $54 million, a respectable figure given the size of the state. And the figure is only going to only increase with the expansion of adult-use, with the state’s Marijuana Commissioner Rob Coupe anticipating the value to jump to over $200 million. The medical market has been chugging along, but recent legislation indicates that an expansion of the program is on the way. Governor John Carney signed HB 285 into law which allows physicians to issue medical cannabis cards to any patient they determine may be assisted with medical cannabis and allows individuals 65 and up to self-certify. This law also allows patients from other states to now have access to the medical market in Delaware. 

As we have seen in many other cannabis states, we anticipate the expanded access to the medical market and the introduction of adult-use cannabis in the coming months will only serve to bolster the medical space in the future.

 

Where Medical Cannabis Takes the Edge

There may be just a handful of compassion centers (or medical dispensaries) in Delaware, but they do have a leg up when it comes to entering the adult-use market. Sales for adult-use cannabis will start in April 2025, with licenses for prospective adult use cannabis business applicants being awarded in March 2025. However, compassion centers will be able to convert their businesses to adult-use dispensaries. All that is really needed is a $200,000 conversion fee along with some additional documentation such as a signed labor peace agreement.  

Continued Medical Support

This will give the already well-established compassion centers a leg up compared to others just starting to enter. This has been done before in many states, most recently Ohio, so this shouldn’t come as a major surprise. But this does show Delaware wants to support the already established medical cannabis businesses and push for expanded access to medical and adult-use cannabis statewide.

 

The Future For Cannabis Patients

Now what will be in store for patients? Luckily, quite a lot more. Specifically, there will be more patients. As mentioned above, new legislation will allow physicians to offer medical cards to any patient they see fit and individuals 65 years and up will be able to self-certify. In addition, and perhaps the most consequential change, will be the convergence of the opening of the adult-use market with allowing patients from other states.

 

Cannabis Tourism Will Boost the Local Market

Delaware is a small state (its population is just over 1 million). But what isn’t small is its tourism industry. In 2022, Delaware welcomed over 9.8 million tourists. Tourism is the fourth largest industry in the state and accounts for over 52,000 jobs. Tourism alone contributed to over $4.5 billion in the state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Now with adult-use opening next year and with out-of-state patients, we can expect plenty of more patients accessing the medical market along with enjoying the adult-use market.

 

How To Enter the New Delaware Cannabis Market with Confidence  

When it comes to Delaware’s medical cannabis future, we’re feeling bullish. We’re excited to see expanded access and an embracing of the new adult-use market with a steady (and fast approaching!) rollout. If you’re interested in entering this new marketplace for adult use, we will have your back, with decades of seasoned cannabis consulting expertise.

Don’t hesitate to reach out to Canna Advisors or schedule a one-on-one consultation for all of your Delaware cannabis needs—from financial modeling to business planning to license pursuits.