Delaware cannabis history
Reviewed
The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner says the Delaware Marijuana Control Act became effective on July 5, 2023. State news says adult-use sales began on August 1, 2025.
This is a short history, not legal advice. The rules that apply today are on the Delaware cannabis laws page. A date is included only when the linked page states it.
At a glance
May 13, 2011The medical act was approved as Chapter 23. It takes effect on the first day of the fiscal year following enactment.
June 18, 2015House Bill 39’s synopsis says the bill decriminalizes possession or private use of a personal-use quantity of marijuana.
August 1, 2025The state news release says adults 21 and older could buy from licensed cannabis retailers starting that morning.
Adult-use sales
- The commissioner’s office is the page that states the July 5, 2023 effective date. A report that had given an April signature date was not available when this page was written.
- The release says only purchases from licensed retailers are legal, and that sales began at existing medical compassion centers that had received conversion licenses.
Sources
- became effective on July 5, 2023
- existing medical compassion centers that had received conversion licenses
- Chapter 23
- decriminalizes possession or private use of a personal-use quantity of marijuana
Citations were checked against the linked pages on October 24, 2026. Claims without a statute, election result, regulator page, court opinion, or news report were left out.