Equity workshops help residents enter Delaware marijuana industry
In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon instituted punitive drug laws and harsh prison sentences with devastating effects on marginalized communities, particularly the poor, Black and Latino populations.
Marijuana played a central role in the mass criminalization of these groups. Now Delaware residents with past marijuana convictions or those living in areas most affected by rescinded marijuana laws are being invited to take part in the state’s emerging marijuana industry.
Beginning in September 2024, the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner will accept applications for “adult use” marijuana business licenses. To promote fair access, the office is holding a series of “social equity” workshops. The sessions are designed to inform potential applicants about the process of obtaining a social equity license in Delaware.
The first workshop was held at Delaware Technical Community College’s Stanton campus on June 5. Among the attendees was Santwan Williams, a Wilmington resident with a passion for plants and nature, particularly growing marijuana.
He said he was previously arrested for possession of marijuana. “I did 90 days down in Smyrna for marijuana,” Williams said. “And now it’s legal.”
The 35-year-old said the conviction made it difficult for him to get a job. Williams said he attended the workshop to learn more about the new laws on marijuana and how they might affect his chances of working in the legal cannabis industry in the future.
Although marijuana is legal in Delaware, it remains illegal under federal law. The workshop provided insights into the significant financial investments and legal ramifications of entering the marijuana industry. Along with social equity qualifications, topics included banking, tax, legal and real estate considerations.
Attendees had the opportunity to network with state officials, guest experts and professionals from the Delaware Cannabis Industry Association before the workshop presentations and panel discussion.
Commissioner Rob Coupe opened the presentations with an overview of the process for obtaining a license.
Of the 125 licenses to be issued, only 47 will be social equity licenses. To be eligible, interested parties must have 51% ownership and control of the business, and must have resided for at least five out of the last 15 years in a disproportionately impacted area as indicated on a map defined in Delaware Code regulating alcohol and marijuana.
Applicants or their parent, legal guardian, child, spouse or dependent also must have been convicted of or found delinquent of a marijuana-related offense under Delaware law before April 23, 2023, except for delivery to a minor or for any offense involving a Tier 3 quantity of marijuana as defined in Delaware Code.