Delaware legalized adult-use cannabis in April 2023. The new program allows for access to recreational marijuana through state-licensed businesses, and will set aside 57 licenses for Social Equity applicants. A Social equity license is a special license based on ownership qualifications. There are various types of marijuana businesses offered for social equity applicants in Delaware, each with a specific number of licenses to be issued. For Marijuana Cultivation Facilities, there will be two categories: Small Cultivators and Standard (Big) Cultivators. The state will issue a total of 10 Social Equity Cultivator Licenses for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. Moving on to Marijuana Manufacturing Facility, 10 Social Equity Manufacturing Licenses will be available. For Retail Marijuana Stores, 15 Social Equity Retail licenses will be up for issuance. Lastly, for Marijuana Testing Facility, 2 social equity Testing Facility licenses will be provided. There is an application and licensing fee allocated for each business type.
Social Equity Applicants will only pay a nonrefundable application fee for all business types and 40% off the applicable license fees. The application process will open in May 2024.
