Delaware marijuana stores: 2 years post-legalization, no retail shops

So last fall, the administration of then-Mayor Mike Purzycki had proposed allowing facilities in commercial and manufacturing districts with a 100-foot buffer from any residential zoning district and from public or private K-12 schools.

The city’s Planning Commission then recommended a 300-foot buffer, and to permit retail and testing facilities in waterfront districts with zoning board permission. That includes the Christina riverfront that has hundreds of apartments and restaurants, shops, a minor league baseball stadium and a movie theater.

Purzycki left office in January and was succeeded by incumbent Gov. John Carney, who by law was barred from seeking a third term. Carney won the Democratic mayoral primary and was unopposed in the November general election.

In 2022, then-Gov. Carney had vetoed legalizing weed, but after the measure passed again in 2023 with what appeared to be a veto-proof majority, Carney let it become law without his signature.

Mayor Carney, who opposed legalization as governor, said Wilmington has “struck the right balance” with its law regulating locations of cannabis businesses. (State of Delaware)

And this month, the Wilmington City Council approved the 300-foot buffer as well as the waterfront uses. That law essentially allows facilities east and south of downtown, and in a couple of small commercial strips in the heavily populated southwestern part of town.

City Councilman Chris Johnson, who sponsored the bill, said he’s satisfied that members have decided on potential locations.

“We believe the barriers we set up are reasonable and set reasonable guidelines so that there’s a balance,” Johnson said. “We’re looking forward to having businesses set up and flourish come the fall.”

Johnson, who is an attorney, said he preferred the 100-foot buffer “but we’ve got to start somewhere.”

Johnson hopes City Council will eventually approve a less-restrictive map for possible locations, a sentiment that Council President Trippi Congo has also expressed.

Johnson said he’s visited medical marijuana facilities in Delaware and is impressed by their low-key presence.

“It kind of dispels the bogeyman myth, where it’s just an out-of-control circus’’ Johnson said. “Most of these are nondescript. You wouldn’t even know they’re there. And in fact, they’re heavily guarded and safe.”

Edible and smokable cannabis is displayed for sale in the “pop up” location of Smacked, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

“I think once people start seeing shops, the walls are going to start to come down. I think people are going to realize these are good neighbors and this a safe industry and the problems they’re seeing in neighborhoods are more related to the smoke shops and corner stores and the liquor stores, not marijuana shops.”

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