On April 24, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed House Bill 110 into law, marking a key milestone for the state's recreational cannabis industry. The new legislation introduces clearer rules for conducting background checks and fingerprinting for individuals applying for cannabis-related licenses or working within the industry. This was a crucial step after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raised concerns about the original bill that legalized adult-use marijuana in Delaware.
The FBI had flagged the original legislation due to its vague provisions regarding access to criminal history information and the procedures for vetting applicants. Without compliance with federal standards, Delaware risked being denied access to national criminal databases, which are essential for conducting thorough background checks.
House Bill 110, introduced by Representative Ed Osienski, D-Newark, addresses those federal concerns by updating Delaware’s licensing procedures and clarifying the conditions under which an applicant can be approved or denied based on their criminal background. With this adjustment, Delaware now meets FBI requirements and can move forward with launching its cannabis industry.
Governor Meyer praised the passage of the bill, highlighting its role in protecting public safety and building trust. “Delaware’s recreational cannabis industry is going to create good-paying jobs and provide critical revenue for the state to help pay for schools, housing, and healthcare,” Meyer stated in a press release. “House Bill 110 will strengthen our background check requirements, align our practices with federal standards, and safeguard public trust.”
He also acknowledged the importance of continued advocacy at the federal level to streamline cannabis policy and reduce regulatory delays. “We’ll keep pressing the federal government to end the bureaucracy standing in the way of getting this industry launched quickly and with integrity,” Meyer added.
Representative Osienski, who also sponsored the original marijuana legalization bill, expressed satisfaction with the swift passage of HB 110. “With HB 110 now law, I’m hopeful the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner will be able to secure the necessary approvals to establish the background check system needed to move Delaware’s adult-use cannabis industry forward,” he said.
The bill’s signing clears a major hurdle, setting Delaware on track to develop a regulated and secure cannabis market that complies with both state and federal standards.
