Gov. Markell to restart compassion center regulatory process
On August 15, Gov. Jack Markell (D) announced that his administration will move forward with allowing regulated medical marijuana access in Delaware, with some modifications to the program. Initially, only one – rather than three – compassion centers will be approved. Gov. Markell suspended implementation of the state’s dispensary program in 2011 after receiving a letter from United States Attorney for Delaware, Charles M. Oberly, III. The letter detailed enforcement action that the federal government could take against those who comply with the state’s new medical marijuana law. Despite this set back, our champions in the legislature – Sen. Margaret Rose Henry and Rep. Helene Keeley – continued to pressure the administration to fully implement the law Markell enacted, repeatedly pointing out that the federal government has not taken action against those in compliance with well-regulated laws similar to Delaware’s medical marijuana law.
Regulated access to medical marijuana will not be immediately available to patients. Gov. Markell’s letter said “DHHS will proceed to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for a pilot compassion center to open in Delaware next year.” That said, the DHHS continues to accept applications for medical marijuana ID cards, which will be required for patients seeking to obtain their medicine from a compassion center. If you are interested in obtaining your medical marijuana ID card, please visit the medical marijuana program's website or call them at (302) 744-4749 to receive application forms.
If you have further questions about the medical marijuana program, please see our summary of the law.
MPP's Noah Mamber and Karen O'Keefe in Dover with Sen. Margaret Rose Henry and several of the state's most committed patients to watch Gov. Markell sign SB 17.
Are you a patient?
Although medical marijuana legislation has already been enacted in Delaware, patient advocacy is crucial to encouraging the governor to implement the dispensary portion of the law. If you are supportive and are a patient with a serious medical condition who might benefit from medical marijuana, a loved one of such a patient, a medical professional, a member of law enforcement or the clergy, or a lawyer or PhD who might be interested in speaking out, please email state@mpp.org to see how you can be of special help. Be sure to include your address and nine-digit ZIP code.
You can also share the stories of other Delaware patients.
Learn more about Delaware’s marijuana laws
Delaware has harsh marijuana laws, and it has the twelfth-highest marijuana arrest rate in the U.S. First-offense possession of even a single joint is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,150 fine, which is the fourth-harshest penalty in the nation for personal use possession. You can learn more about Delaware's marijuana penalties and enforcement by reading this report by Jon Gettman, PhD.
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