Status: Medical use only

History:

2011:   Medical cannabis legalised 
2015:   Legal sales of medical cannabis begin 
2015:   Small amounts decriminalised 
(2020): Bill to legalise recreational cannabis to be voted on this year

Policy Framework:

• Patients must obtain a state-issued card which costs $US125 and must be renewed annually, and must have a qualifying medical condition;
• The state has only one medical cannabis facility;
• Patients cannot cultivate their own cannabis;
• Patients cannot possess more than 6oz (170g) at a time;
• Illegal possession of under 1oz (28g) of cannabis was decriminalised to an infraction in 2015 (no criminal record or prison time - fine only);
• There are an estimated 6060 registered medical cannabis patients in Delaware, according to Delaware Health and Social Services;
• Possession of up to 6oz (175g) is a misdemeanour punishable by three months in prison and fines of up to $US575;
• Possession of more 6oz is a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Fines are subject to the discretion of the court;
• Cultivation or sale is a felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Fines are subject to the discretion of the court.

Source: Norml

Outcomes:

• Between 2005 and 2017, cannabis use disorder in people over the age of 12 decreased from 1.9% to 1.7%;
• In 2018, sales of medical marijuana reached $US7.1 million.

Source: https://crime-data-explorer.fr.cloud.gov/explorer/state/delaware/crime