Hundreds turn out across Delaware for first recreational marijuana sales

Virgil Bradford Jr., a Georgetown resident who was among the first customers at Best Buds in his hometown, said having safe dispensaries open in the state is a positive step, and ensures people no longer have to worry about toxic chemicals in their products and towns like his can be benefit form the tax revenue. 

“I think it’s a win-win for everybody,” he said.

Concerns on launch day

Delaware’s Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin was the first customer at Thrive Dispensary near Wilmington, where he expressed both excitement and trepidation about the launch.

Delaware Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin was the first person to purchase recreational marijuana at the Thrive dispensary in Wilmington. | SPTOLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY ETHAN GRANDIN

The decision by his office to launch Friday with only the state’s medical dispensaries operating was met with some criticism by advocates and licensees of future recreational-only businesses.

The Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network, which was the primary lobbying force for nearly a decade prior to legalization in 2023, even called for a boycott of sales on Aug. 1. The group, which represents the interests of consumers, said the launch gave an unfair advantage to established businesses over the more than 100 start-ups that aim to get involved with the recreational market through a license lottery.

“These six businesses ended up with first sales and absolutely no competition. This is not what the people were promised and it’s not what the people supported. It’s broken promises and this is a short-sighted cash grab that will jeopardize Delaware’s brand new market,” Delaware CAN Executive Director Zoe Patchell told WHYY this week.

Although some customers saw lines at a handful of the 11 dispensaries open Friday, there were no reported shortages or sell-outs of products.

Among those lined up with Sanderlin were Tom and Abby Torello, Wilmington residents who said they were excited to purchase on the first day of recreational sales and to see what variety Thrive has to offer.

“I’m just curious to see what is going to be available,” Tom said. “I travel for work a lot, so I go to a lot of states that have recreational, and it’s fun to see what’s different.”

Co-existing with medical

The first day of recreational sales also brought questions about how it would co-exist with Delaware’s medical marijuana program, which allows patients with doctor’s prescriptions to buy marijuana tax-free.

Casey Allard said she had no issues Friday accessing what she needed as a medical patient. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY BRIANNA HILL

Casey Allard, who’s been a medical patient at Thrive in Lewes for three years, said she initially had some concerns about the dispensary changing or becoming too busy with recreational customers, but said she had a pleasant experience making her purchase and the process, as in the past, was “smooth and easy.”

Allard said she’s happy to see that everyone can now make legal purchases.

“I’m so happy because I think it’s such an important thing and I do see it as an incredible resource of relief and pain management,” she said.

In Felton, The Farm dispensary started off slow in the morning, but by the afternoon, a line stretched from the entrance to the end of the building. Customers, both medical and recreational, waited about 30 to 45 minutes before being allowed inside.

The dispensary also has a drive-thru service window reserved for medical patients and once inside, medical patients received expedited service. However, the combined line has caused frustration among some medical patients who are used to quicker service.

Raymond Kennedy, a medical patient from Greenwood, said today was the was the busiest that he’s ever seen it.

“My back is killing me, but I’m waiting,” he’s said.

Industry excited to begin

Since the law approving legalization passed in 2023, Delawareans and those in the marijuana industry have been awaiting the opening of recreational sales.

The industry has been estimated to create upward of 1,000 jobs in the next five years and produce an estimated $280 million in annual tax and fee proceeds.

Virgil Bradford Jr., of Georgetown, was excited to be able to legally purchase marijuana in his home state on Friday. | SPOTLIGHT DELAWARE PHOTO BY BRIANNA HILL

In Wilmington, James Brobyn, owner of Field Supply, described the first day of recreational marijuana sales as a relief.

“I think we’re all just relieved that we’re finally here, and now we can actually start building the industry we collectively deserve in Delaware,” he said. “And maybe we can make it sustainable.”

Brobyn, who also serves as president of the Delaware Cannabis Industry Association, has spent the past several years expressing concerns to the state about structural inequities within the industry — issues he says won’t be solved by social equity licenses alone. One of the biggest challenges, he noted, is zoning and real estate.

Gov. Matt Meyer is still weighing whether to sign Senate Bill 75, which would override the concerns of counties and loosen regulations on where marijuana businesses could locate.

Brobyn also emphasized that the state’s 15% sales tax — a rate many Delawareans are not accustomed to — puts cannabis business owners at a disadvantage compared to those in neighboring states like New Jersey and Maryland, which have lower tax rates.

“Everyone wants a piece of the 15% we’re charging; it’s the most expensive in the whole region,” Brobyn said. “It’s not great for our business, but it supports the Social Equity Improvement Fund, which is great. Let’s hold the state accountable and make sure they’re using that money appropriately.”