Delaware Governor Matt Meyer considers easing restrictions on cannabis retail outlets approaching their launch date
Delaware is on the brink of standardising its recreational cannabis zoning rules, a move aimed at facilitating the market launch and easing restrictions imposed by local municipalities. The bill, SB 75, is currently awaiting a vote in the Delaware House of Representatives, with Governor Matt Meyer yet to comment on whether he will sign or veto it.
The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, aims to reduce county-imposed buffer zones around marijuana dispensaries to a maximum of 500 feet from sensitive locations. This move is expected to ease zoning restrictions statewide, addressing the substantial barriers that have hindered the opening of recreational cannabis businesses, particularly in Sussex County.
The bill also protects the business investments of existing medical marijuana dispensaries with conversion licenses as they transition into the recreational market. If signed into law, recreational cannabis sales are scheduled to begin on August 1, 2025, led by these medical dispensaries.
However, the bill has faced opposition from local officials and some legislators who argue it undermines local government authority and land-use control. New Castle County Councilmember Janet Kilpatrick has expressed concerns about the state overruling local zoning decisions. Kilpatrick suggests that if the state takes over zoning decisions, it should take over the entire process, including variance requests.
Opponents of the bill also argue that it infringes on the role of local governments to make zoning decisions. They fear it sets a precedent for state overreach in local zoning decisions. Kilpatrick has proposed increasing the buffer zone for cannabis shops to 1,000 feet, compared to the current 500-foot buffer.
The bill would set state standards for where recreational marijuana stores could be located within Delaware's three counties. Retail cannabis outlets would be allowed in commercial- or industrial-zoned areas, but not within a half-mile of another recreational cannabis store or within 500 feet of places such as schools, day cares, residential substance abuse treatment facilities, and parks.
The state has awarded 125 adult-use recreational market licenses through a lottery system, with 30 retail stores planned throughout the state. Tracee Southerland, a social equity license holder, has faced difficulties finding suitable locations for her testing facilities due to county ordinances. Southerland's cannabis products cannot be sold in Sussex County because of its de facto ban on retail establishments.
Patrick Galloway, founder of Whitecap Cannabis, received his cultivation license this week. Galloway emphasises the importance of selling his product near Delaware's beaches for his marketing plan. However, his cannabis products cannot be sold in Sussex County due to its restrictions.
As the bill awaits a vote in the House and the Governor's decision, the ongoing tension reflects a broader debate between supporting cannabis business development and preserving local land-use autonomy. Meyer has expressed sympathy towards local governments' concerns about the bill overruling their zoning decisions. However, the Governor is considering allowing the marijuana ordinance bill to become law without his signature.
References: [1] Delaware Online. (2025, June 25). Delaware marijuana bill would ease zoning restrictions for dispensaries. Retrieved from https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2025/06/25/delaware-marijuana-bill-would-ease-zoning-restrictions-dispensaries/12197058002/ [2] WDEL. (2025, June 25). Delaware marijuana bill aims to reduce buffer zones around dispensaries. Retrieved from https://www.wdel.com/news/delaware-marijuana-bill-aims-to-reduce-buffer-zones-around-dispensaries/ [3] Delaware Public Media. (2025, June 25). Delaware recreational marijuana sales set to begin in August. Retrieved from https://delawarepublic.org/post/delaware-recreational-marijuana-sales-set-begin-august [4] The News Journal. (2025, June 25). Delaware marijuana bill would ease zoning restrictions for dispensaries. Retrieved from https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2025/06/25/delaware-marijuana-bill-would-ease-zoning-restrictions-dispensaries/12197058002/
- The ongoing debate in Delaware's policy-and-legislation surrounding the standardisation of recreational cannabis zoning rules, as showcased by SB 75, is centred on the balance between facilitating the cannabis market and respecting local governments' authority in land-use decisions.
- The politics surrounding Delaware's general-news of recreational cannabis zoning rules unfold as Governor Matt Meyer weighs the potential state overreach in local zoning decisions if he signs or vetoes SB 75, which aims to reduce county-imposed buffer zones and ease restrictions on recreational cannabis businesses.
