Marijuana in First State: Retail opens for buzz

Gov. Matt Meyer got ready for the official Friday, Aug. 1 opening of Delaware’s recreational marijuana market with his own tour of a grow facility in Milford two days earlier.

“The tour was pretty nice. Interesting smells … I didn’t try any samples,” he said after walking the cavernous hallways of First State Compassion, tinged with the aroma of weed. Meyer visited three rooms at the facility featuring marijuana plants in various states of production, from short-stacked plants to taller versions, and finally a cultivation room where buds are dried and ready to sell.

Delaware is the 22nd state to legalize marijuana, allowing up to one ounce of cannabis for adults 21 or older. Delaware passed the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act in 2011, but it took a few more years before the first medical dispensaries began operating. Many of those facilities will be selling recreational marijuana when their doors open Aug. 1.

Meyer touted the product, saying production and state regulation ensure the highest quality.

“People will know, ‘Hey, if it comes from Delaware, it’s good safe stuff,’” he said.

However, he acknowledged the higher price point of buying legal marijuana in a store, no matter how preferable to purchasing on the street, may be a sticking point for some.

“It’s an issue, and there is some evidence from other states and countries that when you legalize, illegal use does go down,” he said. “We’ll watch the market and continue to do what we can to keep it safe and legal.”

Ryan Crandall, chief commercial officer for MariMed, First State’s parent company, said medical marijuana customers will still be first priority for the company, and in the event of long lines, will be given preferential service.

He said he is optimistic the retail industry will be a success.

“It’s been an undertaking,” he said. “I’m excited to open and feel very good.”

Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin said the new market could reach 100,000 customers, maybe more if buoyed by the influx of vacationers at resort towns.

“If you’re at the beach, it’ll probably be more,” he said.

Meyer said he anticipates millions of dollars of product will help create economic opportunity and jobs, create state revenue to address past social injustices, and also help educate kids and benefit hospitals and healthcare systems in the state.

“I”m hoping that Delaware will be a hub,” he said. “In Delaware, we are the French wine of weed.”

Sussex County locations

There are a dozen locations throughout the state where adult-use recreational marijuana will be sold, with four of those dispensaries in Sussex County. The four locations are – Thrive Dispensary (formerly First State Compassion Lewes) at 12000 Old Vine Blvd., Building 4D, Unit 102, Lewes; Columbia Care Rehoboth Beach at 36725 Bayside Outlet Drive, Suite 760, Rehoboth Beach; Best Buds Georgetown at 23 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown; The Farm, 34164 DuPont Blvd., Frankford.

There’s a fifth marijuana dispensary in Sussex County, Fresh Cannabis in Seaford, but it will remain for medical marijuana only.