Delaware

Delaware weed stores will have the chance to offer ‘deli-style’ sales

Published

2 years ago

March 12, 2024

Delaware weed stores will have the chance to offer ‘deli-style’ sales

From Philly and the Pa. suburbs to South Jersey and Delaware, what would you like WHYY News to cover? Let us know!

When buying lunch meat from the grocery store, you usually have two options: visit the deli and get your turkey sliced to your desired weight and thickness, or grab some already packaged.

That’s what advocates for marijuana users want in Delaware’s retail stores when they open in about a year — the ability to smell and inspect the buds they might be interested in buying, rather than just getting something in a labeled, resealable plastic pouch.

Zoe Patchell of the Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network says many users prefer and deserve to have the choice of what she calls “deli-style” or “apothecary-style” shopping for weed.

“Consumers know what they’re getting, and they can see the entire product before they purchase it. So it really cuts down on the demand for returns, which is not really a common proprietary industry practice,” Patchell told WHYY News.

“No one wants to be sold a product that they didn’t get to see before they purchased it and especially not when they get that product home and find out it’s either not what they wanted or even worse, that there was something wrong with the product.”

The proposed regulations for Delaware don’t currently allow for deli-style shopping. They mirror the ones currently in place for the medical marijuana dispensaries. Leaf marijuana and products such as edibles must be in packaging that will reveal whether it’s been tampered with before purchase, and is re-sealable once it’s opened if the package contains multiple doses.

However, during a recent meeting of the Marijuana Control Act Oversight Committee, members Patchell and Adam Windett made a presentation about how they want dispensaries to display and sell bulk marijuana.

That demonstration changed the mindset of Marijuana Commissioner Robert Coupe, who told WHYY News he would soon propose offering retailers a variance from the packaging mandate as long as they can convince his office that the weed will be free of contaminants and the quality remains unaffected.

“As long as they satisfy those areas of concern, then we could issue the variance and they would be able to offer marijuana in that form as well as the prepackaged form,’’ Coupe said.

Delaware Marijuana Commissioner Rob Coupe says he’s been persuaded to let retailers seek a variance to offer ‘deli-style’ sales. (State of Delaware)

“We want to make sure that the consumer’s aware, if it’s being sold that way,’’ there could be “additional risks as far as the quality, as far as bacteria getting into that jar or getting into their marijuana, that we’re not going to be able to control like we can in the prepackaged world,’’ Coupe said. “It becomes an agreement between the consumer and that retailer that this is how I want to purchase it.“

That’s just fine with Patchell, who has shopped for weed that’s kept in sealed mason jars in states such as Oregon and Colorado, and says the practice also lets customers evaluate the product’s freshness.

Zoe Patchell speaking into a microphone at a hearing — Zoe Patchell of the Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network says deli-style sales is a common sense, consumer-centered approach. (City of Rehoboth)

‘It’s the same reason why people buy fresh vegetables over pre-canned vegetables,’’ she said. Prepackaged cannabis “typically is less fresh. The product is more dry.”

Delaware neighbors New Jersey and Maryland don’t allow deli-style sales in their recreational weed dispensaries. Pennsylvania has not legalized marijuana.

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Delaware

Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

Published

15 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

Done Deal: 695 Delaware Avenue – Buffalo Rising

Ellicott Development has expanded it local property portfolio. Ellicott’s 4628 Group Inc. purchased 695 Delaware Avenue on Wednesday for $1.025 million. Fred Kaplan Living Trust was the seller. The 8,454 sq.ft., three-story barn-like structure with mansard roofed addition is occupied by media production and marketing firm Crosswater Digital Media. It was the home of WKBW radio for a number of years. The property totals 0.4 acres in size with a large parking lot fronting Delaware Avenue.

The property is bookended by the Westbrook Apartments and Wilcox House apartment buildings, both ten-story structures. It sits across the street from 700 Delaware, the former Computer Task Group Building Ellicott purchased in 2018 and is now occupied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

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Delaware

Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say

Published

1 day ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Man, 77, dies after collision with teen driver near Hartly, police say

A 77-year-old man died following a two-car crash near Hartly on the morning of Dec. 10, Delaware State Police said.

The man, from the Dover area, has not been identified by police pending family notification.

According to police reports, the man was driving a Honda Accord east on Judith Road approaching Hartly Road about 9 a.m., as an 18-year-old woman was driving a Ford Focus south on Hartly Road approaching Judith Road.

Police reported that a preliminary investigation shows the Honda moved from the stop sign into the Ford’s path, causing a collision.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman, from Hartly, was treated at the scene. Police said she refused to be taken to a hospital.

Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.

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Delaware

Delaware County approves 19% property tax hike in 4-1 vote

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

Press Room

Delaware County approves 19% property tax hike in 4-1 vote

MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) — Delaware County Council voted 4-1 Wednesday night to approve a budget that includes a 19% property tax increase, despite objections from residents.

Property owners with a home assessed at $255,000 will pay about $188 more annually under the new budget, which takes effect next month.

Before the vote, some residents urged council to reconsider.

“I ask council to revisit the proposed budget, forgo voting tonight, avoid solving the entire deficit on the back of the hardworking taxpayers,” said Cynthia Sabitini of Upper Providence Township.

One councilmember agreed, but most did not.

“Simply put, I feel that the increase is too drastic,” said Councilmember Elaine Paul Schaefer.

“This needs to occur. I don’t like it, but it’s what has to occur,” said Councilmember Kevin Madden.

The hike follows a 23% increase last year and a 5% increase the year before. County officials say tax hikes were minimal for a decade, forcing steep increases now.

The current all-Democratic council argues they’re righting the financial ship after past Republican leaders didn’t do enough.

“For the first time in more than a decade, this budget puts Delaware County on track to have a truly balanced budget,” said Council Chair Dr. Monica Taylor.

County leaders say the increase addresses a structural deficit, but opponents blame spending on projects such as de-privatizing George Hill Correctional Center and creating a health department.

“How do you justify coming in with a deficit and then saying you’re repairing it after you grew it?” said Michael Straw of Media Borough Republicans.

Officials say future hikes should be minimal if the county makes any request at all, but some remain skeptical.

“I have my doubts that we won’t be seeing increases in the future,” Straw said.

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