The Voice for Legal & Safe Cannabis in Delaware

Founded by Delaware Marijuana License Holders

Now Open to all Future Adult License Holders

Building a thriving cannabis industry the “Delaware Way.”

DCIA is Delaware’s voice for legal and safe cannabis. The association comprises all the Delaware medical marijuana license holders and was formed to advocate for equity, access, and safe products while partnering with state government and local organizations to develop a robust and safe cannabis industry in the First State.

For generations, Delawareans have spoken proudly of — the Delaware Way – our practice of working together, even through our differences, to find common ground, innovate, and get things done.

We look forward to welcoming new members in our ranks as the legal industry grows within the state.

Ensure Safe Access to Regulated Cannabis for All Medical Marijuana Patients and Adult Use Consumers

RECENT LEGISLATIVE WINS!

HB285 - This Act amends the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act by removing the requirement that a patient have a debilitating medical condition to qualify for a registry identification card, instead allowing health-care providers to make the determination of whether a patient has a diagnosed medical condition for which the patient would receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the use of medical marijuana. As a result, this Act removes the CBD-rich and compassionate use programs, which previously allowed for the use of marijuana for the treatment of conditions that otherwise did not qualify a patient for a registry identification card. This Act allows patients aged 65 and older to self-certify their qualification for a registry identification card without a written certification from a health-care provider. This Act authorizes the Department to issue registry identification cards with 1-, 2-, or 3-year expiration dates. It also requires the issuance of a registry identification card with an indefinite expiration date where the qualifying patient has a terminal illness. This Act allows individuals with out-of-state registry identification cards or equivalent certifications who would qualify for a registry identification card in this State to use those cards or certifications for any purpose for which the person would be authorized to use a registry identification card issued under this chapter. DCIA actively works with state policymakers and association members to ensure adult-use legislation is implemented in a way that adequately serves patients across the state and provides them with safe access to the medicine they need while creating a robust market to serve adult-use consumers. This includes addressing product shortages as adult-use legislation is fully implemented.

DCIA is currently advocating for additional improvements to the current medical legislation:

  1. Higher THC % and differentiated products in the medical market

  2. Modernize and update the advertising restrictions

  3. Change from annual to 3-5 year medical card renewals

  4. Authorize patients to grow up to 6 plants at their home

Encourage Social Equity and Social Justice

The prohibition of cannabis has disproportionately harmed minorities. DCIA will work to ensure that meaningful business opportunities are available to the communities that have been most harmed by the misguided policies of prohibition.

Our members are all committed to helping lead equity in our industry - through ownership, to equal access, to decriminalization — we advocate and create real change through our individual and collective action.

Develop a Competitive Cannabis Market through Education and On-the-job Training Programs

DCIA will work with the State and Nonprofit Advocates to create a program of instruction for State-awarded equity adult-use license holders taught by the technical, professional, and business professionals in Delaware's current medical operators. The classroom portion would be followed by a multi-month OJT program built and implemented by the current medical operators within their facilities and retail stores.

Delaware can’t replace the talent, technical expertise, and operational excellence of the current operators. It’s in our best interest to leverage the “Delaware Way” to make our State competitive with our neighbors.

“The biggest killer on the planet is stress, and I still think the best medicine is and always has been cannabis.”— Willie Nelson

Let’s Build Delaware’s Cannabis Industry Together

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