Delaware’s medical cannabis program is unique from the rest of the country. Instead of offering individual license types for each phase of the seed-to-sale process (cultivation license, producer/processor license, and dispensary/retail license), Delaware offers a vertically integrated license type that covers cultivation, processing and dispensing of medical cannabis, known as Compassion Centers.
Information will be updated here as it becomes available. Check back for updates! Please note; while we aim to keep this pages fully up to date with the latest information, cannabis laws are always changing. We encourage you to verify these rules and regulations in the official legal text, which we’ve linked throughout the page for your convenience.
Compassion Centers in Delaware are vertically integrated cannabis businesses that handle cultivation, processing, and dispensing of medical cannabis to qualifying patients. These licensees own and operate the cultivation/growing facility and the dispensary; processing various cannabis extracts and edibles is done in-house at the dispensary or cultivation facilities.
Cultivation Facility – More commonly known as grow facilities, this is where the cannabis plant is grown from a seed to a mature plant to be harvested and processed into extracts or sold as plant material.
Processors – Processors take harvested cannabis from Cultivators and create derivative extracts for edibles, concentrates, topicals, and prepacks.
Dispensary – Retail medical cannabis businesses where qualifying, registered patients can purchase medical cannabis for medicinal use.
How many Medical Marijuana licenses are being awarded in Delaware?
There are currently only 3 cannabis business licenses in the state of Delaware and there is no current or active legislation to add more. Here are the 3 licensed Compassion Centers in Delaware:
What kind of tracking system do I need to operate a Licensed Cannabis Facility?
Most states require an extensive seed-to-sale cannabis tracking system to monitor every step of the cannabis supply chain; cultivation, processing and manufacturing, transportation, lab testing and retail dispensary POS system. Our seed-to-sale-tracking solution provides comprehensive conversion tracking focused on compliant data points. Customized to meet the unique regulatory frameworks in each state, BioTrack also features an all-in-one business tool to help you operate every aspect of the cultivation business by itself, or as part of the vertically-integrated cannabis business.
Patients in Delaware are allowed to purchase medical cannabis from a licensed Compassion Center once they’re registered with a qualifying condition. Delaware does not permit medical cannabis patients to grow their own medicine.
Current Estimated Patient Counts: 1,752
How can I obtain a Delaware Medical Cannabis Card?
First check below to ensure you have one of the qualifying conditions as defined by the state. After you’ve determined that you qualify for a medical marijuana card, you can fill out an application here. Mailing instructions for completed applications can be found at the top of the application. Here’s a quick checklist of requirements:
- Must be a resident in the state of Delaware.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Patients under the age of 18 years, must be certified by a pediatric specialist. A separate application form for minors is provided on the Program’s website.
- Submit application or renewal fee
- Submit the Physician Certification, which should be completed by the qualifying patient’s physician and is attached to the application provided on the Program’s website.
- Sign a consent for release of medical information related to the qualifying patient’s debilitating medical condition.
- Registry identification cards usually have to be renewed once a year.
Does my medical condition qualify for a Medical Cannabis Recommendation in Delaware?
Here’s a list of qualifying conditions defined by Delaware state law. To request new conditions, please follow the instructions found here.
- Terminal illness
- Cancer
- Positive status for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV Positive)
- Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
- Decompensated cirrhosis
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS / Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
- Agitation of Alzheimer’s disease
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) *Note: MUST see a licensed psychiatrist to certify this condition.
- Intractable epilepsy
- Autism with self-injurious or aggressive behavior
- A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces one or more of the following
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Severe, debilitating pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measure for more than three months, or for which other treatment options produced serious side effects.
- Intractable nausea
- Seizures
- Severe and persistent muscle spasms, including but not limited to those characteristic of Multiple Sclerosis
Pediatric Patient Qualifying Conditions
If the qualifying patient is a minor, the prescribing physician must be a pediatric neurologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric oncologist or pediatric palliative care specialist. You can apply for a pediatric patient medical cannabis card here.
To request additional conditions be added to the list, please follow the instructions here.
- Intractable epilepsy
- A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition where they have failed treatment involving one or more of the following symptoms
- Cachexia or wasting syndrome
- Intractable nausea
- Severe, painful and persistent muscle spasms
In Delaware, Caregivers can be assigned to medical cannabis patients who are physically unable to purchase cannabis by themselves. Anyone is able to apply to become a licensed caregiver, however a registered patient must be included in the application process.
Individuals can apply to become a caregiver by filling out this application. Completed applications can be mailed to the address listed at the top of the application.
