Delaware, Pennsylvania Advance Adult-Use Cannabis Legalization

Delaware is set to launch legal adult-use cannabis sales on August 1, 2024, following the passage of the Marijuana Control Act, and lawmakers are seeking public input for future policy refinements. In Pennsylvania, Senators Dan Laughlin (R) and Sharif Street (D) have introduced Senate Bill 120, a bipartisan initiative to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and older. The proposal would create a Cannabis Control Board, consolidate oversight of medical and recreational cannabis, and expunge low-level convictions. Emphasizing social equity, the bill would prioritize small and minority-owned businesses and reinvest in communities most affected by prohibition. Retail sales in Pennsylvania are projected to begin six to twelve months after the bill's passage. These developments highlight a regional and national trend toward cannabis legalization and regulation.