Delaware
Marijuana business owners gather in Dover to press state to open weed businesses
Cannabis industry protests delayed openings for recreational businesses
Supporters of legal cannabis gathered in Dover to call on lawmakers to allow recreational marijuana businesses to open. 3/11/25
Marijuana business owners, users and advocates from around Delaware gathered in Dover on Tuesday morning to push the state government to allow businesses to open nearly two years after recreational weed was legalized.
More than 40 people organized by the Delaware Cannabis Industry Association stood outside Legislative Hall holding signs and listening to speeches. They said the state is allowing unsafe and unregulated marijuana to be purchased and used while a regulated statewide industry sits in limbo. Recreational, adult-use marijuana was legalized in 2023, but businesses have yet to open their doors.
All licenses have been handed out for now through lotteries. Now, background checks on all of the winners, including the seven licenses allowing for conversion from medical to recreational marijuana, are being done. According to the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, the fingerprinting authorizations from Delaware State Police through the State Bureau of Investigation still need approval from the FBI. Those fingerprints are part of the required criminal background check performed on everyone awarded a license.
Any lottery winners who pass the current background checks will be given a conditional license. If they cannot become fully operational within 18 months, the license is likely to be rescinded. If they become operational, they are awarded an active license and can continue.
But, patience is wearing thin for business owners who want to get the industry up and running. James Brobyn, CEO of marijuana business American Fiber Co., called on Gov. Matt Meyer to either empower current acting Commissioner Paul Hyland or choose another commissioner. Rob Coupe, the state’s first commissioner, stepped down before Meyer took office.
“That’s literally the the legal hurdle that has to happen to just turn the switch on,” Brobyn said outside of Legislative Hall.
A spokeswoman for Meyer’s office said the governor understands the urgency of nominating the next marijuana commissioner and that Meyer has been a supporter of recreational and medical marijuana.
“It’s critical we select the best person to lead the state’s program,” the spokeswoman for Meyer said. “Not only for those looking to open businesses in Delaware, but for communities that have long been victims of war on drugs and medical patients forced to live in the shadows for decades. We can and will do better in Delaware to ensure we have an equitable and thriving marijuana industry.”
Originally, the plan to open marijuana retail in Delaware was spring 2025. That time has come, and businesses have not been opened or converted. The OMC said the decision to open the existing medical businesses who applied for conversion licenses ahead of the lottery winners will be up to whoever is the next commissioner.
County and city-level zoning stifles business owners
State law allows counties to regulate the recreational marijuana industry however they want without banning it. New Castle and Sussex counties have approved additional buffer zones around churches, schools and residences on top of existing state-required barriers for businesses. Municipalities can outright ban it, and many towns at the beaches have done so.
In Sussex County, 3-mile buffer zones around municipality borders, churches and schools and more have choked off marijuana businesses to a point where they cannot confidently operate in the few places in the county available.
Jen Stark, owner and director of processing at The Farm medical marijuana dispensary in Felton and New Castle, lives in Bridgeville and cannot open inside or outside of its municipal borders.
“All they have in Sussex for retail is a piece of paper; it means nothing,” she said.
Louise Shelton of New Castle was awarded a social equity cultivation license in New Castle County. She said finding a location in the county to operate is her biggest challenge. She is new to the industry and wanted to grow the plant because it has had positive effects on her family members, she said. Now, she cannot get anyone in commercial real estate to help her find a location.
“We’re just kind of at a stalemate right now,” Shelton said in Dover on Tuesday. “How do you give us licenses if you’re not going to take care of the zoning?”
Shelton also has a social equity cultivation license in Sussex County, where she said it has been frustrating. She said the main complaints have been about the smell and use of marijuana, despite her business just growing the plant itself.
“Just because weed is recreational doesn’t mean we can just walk down the street smoking it,” Shelton said. “We know the laws and will abide by them.”
Stark looked at Kent County’s regulations as a model for what the rest of the state should look like. Kent County is regulating where businesses can operate, similar to liquor and tobacco businesses. Stark hopes the Legislature will take another look at the zoning restrictions allowed by state law.
“I really hope that they can write legislation and get it passed through the House and Senate; otherwise, it’s just going to be crippling to the industry,” she said.
Social equity license winners run into same problems as open retail
Social equity licenses were intended to give areas disproportionately affected by past drug-related enforcement and individuals with past marijuana convictions a chance to get in on the industry. Social equity applications came at a discounted rate of $1,000. Open applications cost $5,000 and micro-level applications cost $3,000.
Conversion licenses were awarded at $200,000 for cultivation and $100,000 for retail and manufacturing. The state made $4 million from them, which helps to fund social equity grants for business owners.
Darnell Martin of Wilmington said he plans to be in the next lottery for a social equity license. He said local governments are treating the recreational marijuana industry unfairly.
The Wilmington City Council recently passed a three-month pause on marijuana business licenses in the city while they figure out the proper zoning around the businesses. Martin said they should have it figured out because people have smoked marijuana for decades.
“They are treating it like it’s the zombie apocalypse,” he said.
Shane Brennan covers New Castle County with a focus on Newark and surrounding communities. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com. Follow @shanebrennan36 on X, formerly Twitter.
Monday also coincided with the swearing-in ceremony of Womack, Controller Louis Rosenthal, District Attorney Tanner Rouse, Sheriff Siddiq Kamara and first-term Councilmember Joanne Phillips.
“I remain inspired by what the voters told me during this election,” Phillips said in the press release. “They told me to keep working hard, use my common sense, keep moving the county forward, implement changes as efficiently and effectively as we can, use our resources wisely, and take care of our people.”
Among its first orders of business, County Council voted to reappoint Barbara O’Malley as executive director for a two-year term to oversee the day-to-day operations of government departments.
County Council’s first official meeting is Wednesday.
Meet Aubrey Plaza of Delaware in 59 seconds
Here’s a snapshot of Delaware A-list actress Aubrey Plaza in 59 seconds.
Are you already in need of a laugh (or two) in 2026?
There are several comedians performing in Delaware area this year who might be able to get the job done. But it’ll cost you a couple of coins.
Here are some big (and smaller) comedians who are currently confirmed for touring in and near the First State, from now through the summer.
Some of the most notable Black comedians performed on HBO’s raw “Def Comedy Jam” in the 1990s, including Dave Chapelle, Bernie Mac and Thea Vidale. That’s the same unfiltered Vidale who also starred as the mama of WWE star Shelton Benjamin for a brief wrestling storyline. Vidale also played the mom of R&B singer Brandy on the ’90s sitcom “Thea,” which made the veteran comic the first Black female comedian to have a sitcom named after them on a national network, according to The Grand’s website. Vidale will headline a night of laughs at an event presented by Keenan Copening’s Bar None Entertainment. The event includes DJ-K and The Reverend Bob Levy.
Studio 1 of The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 10. Tickets are $50. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.
Delaware State Fair alum Jeff Dunham is coming to the arena of the Philadelphia 76ers with his new “AI” tour, which doesn’t stand for “Allen Iverson,” sadly. The rock-star ventriloquist and his puppet gang, who have 4.76 million YouTube subscribers, will tickle patrons with the “Artificial Intelligence” tour, a subject we can’t avoid these days.
Xfinity Mobile Arena (3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) at 7 p.m. Jan. 15. Tickets start at $92. Visit jeffdunham.com.
With 9 million fans on Instagram, Desi Banks will march a small army of his soldiers into a battlefield of silliness where he’ll wage war against boredom this spring. Although people love his internet skits, Banks is a veteran performer who also can work a stage, which he’s shared with big names including Martin Lawrence and Mike Epps.
Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Jan. 16; 7 and 9:15 p.m., Jan. 17; 7 p.m. Jan. 18. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.
The new year equals a fresh start to hear new jokes. Next on deck is comedian Mike Cannon, who can overshare with the best of them. Cannon has a sharp-witted style of comedy that can turn on-the-spot crowd observations into three minutes of material. Among his long list of credits, the podcast troublemaker starred in the film “Timing” on Amazon Prime, and he’s appeared on Barstool Sports’ “Friday Night Pints.”
The Queen (500 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. Jan. 29. Tickets are $32. Visit thequeenwilmington.com or call (302) 400-7020.
Seven wild comics will hit one stage, with Mike Epps leading the way, during the return of the “We Them One’s” comedy tour at The Liacouras Center, home of the Temple Owls. The lineup features Epps, DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, Chico Bean, Mojo Brookzz, Tony Roberts, Jayski and Fab Monroe.
Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m., Feb. 20. Tickets are $85-$311+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.
Maybe you saw Affion Crockett in a friendly roast battle against Kevin Hart, or in Netflix’s “Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.” Either way, one of the next places you can catch Crockett is headlining four shows at Punch Line Philly.
Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Feb. 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. Feb. 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.
It was only late last year when comedian and actor Patton Oswalt came to Wilmington. Now he’s headed back to Delmarva, this time playing Ocean City.The longtime entertainer has a résumé in TV and film that’s longer than the “Star Wars” title sequence with TV and movie credits that include “The King of Queens,” “Parks and Recreation” and last year’s “Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.”
Ocean City Performing Arts Center (4001 Coastal Highway, Convention Center, Ocean City) at 7 p.m. March 5. Tickets are $61.90 to $185.50. Visit ocmdfilmfestival.com.
Comedian Ryan Davis ended 2025 on a high note, opening for well-respected comic Ali Siddiq. Davis is best known for his viral videos on social media, where he spent years ranting about pop culture or whatever else was on his mind. Some of his notable credits include appearances on “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “All Def Comedy.”
Punch Line Philly (33 E. Laurel St., Philadelphia) at 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 20; 7 and 9:15 p.m. March 21. For tickets or more info, visit punchlinephilly.com or call (215) 606-6555.
Going to a Garrison Keillor performance can feel like you’re at a concert, poetry session and a comedy show in one event. The storyteller, who is a native of Minnesota, will be joined with special guest Rich Dworsky for an evening of double trouble.
The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. March 28. Tickets are $66-$86. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302) 652-5577.
Tracy Locke and more: ‘April Fools Festival,’ Milton
No matter the forecast, comedian Tracy Locke is bringing you spring comedy showers in Milton, so bring a poncho. The headliner will be joined with Dave Evans and host Keith Purnell.
Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $15.76-$22.35. Visit miltontheatre.com or call (302) 684-3038
Don’t think David Sedaris stands around telling jokes all day. Because he’s versatile enough to sit down and write humor, which he’s proved through multiple New York Times bestsellers. This includes Sedaris’ writings in “Let’s Explore Diabetes with Owls” (comical essays about personal events that range from a colonoscopy to his dad wearing a shirt and underwear during dinner). Sedaris reminds his fans that the same thing that can make you cry also can make you laugh.
The Playhouse on Rodney Square (1007 N. Market St, Wilmington) at 7 p.m. April 12. Tickets are $55-$92. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call (302). 888-0200.
There might not be a comedian today who’s more likeable than Katt Williams, depending on whom you ask. Williams, who has headlined arenas for years, caught fire on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast in 2024 with an episode that cracked over 91 million views. He’s seen a surge of popularity over the last two years that saw more podcast appearances like Joe Rogan’s pod, which racked up 25 million views alone.
Liacouras Center (1776 N. Broad St., Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. April 24. Tickets are $92-$353+. Visit liacourascenter.com or call (215) 204-2400.
Aries Spears, Wilmington
The biggest comedian who’s been announced for Delaware in 2026 is Aries Spears, who has been in the game for over three decades, and he’s still cracking people up. From his eight seasons on the sketch series “MADtv” to being a regular guest on the popular YouTube channel Vlad TV, Spears has shown his versatile ability to be funny with a script and in candid conversation. While Spears isn’t just an impressionist comic, he’s got a knack for mimicking entertainers like DMX, Jay-Z, Denzel Washington and Shaquille O’Neal.
The Grand (818 N. Market St., Wilmington) at 8 p.m. May 1. Tickets are $55-$99. Visit thegrandwilmington.org or call thegrandwilmington.org.
Pennsylvania native Shane Gillis is gonna be on an emotional high when he headlines The Linc, home of the Philadelphia Eagles, this summer, joined by special guests. Gillis is one of the hottest names in comedy and showed people when he appeared in Bud Light’s 2025 Super Bowl ad with Peyton Manning and Post Malone, an experience that was capped off with The Birds winning the Super Bowl.
The Linc (One Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia) at 8 p.m. July 17. Tickets are $30-$171+. Visit lincolnfinancialfield.com.
Delaware
Siddiq Kamara sworn in as Delaware County sheriff, turning family tragedy into push for change
MEDIA, Pa. (WPVI) — Siddiq Kamara was sworn in on Monday as the new sheriff of Delaware County, marking a milestone he said he never imagined before a family tragedy pushed him toward public service.
Kamara, who won nearly 63% of the vote in November, greeted supporters as he arrived in uniform.
“I haven’t gotten to wear a uniform like this in a long time,” he said before the ceremony.
Moments later, he reflected on the weight of the day, saying he was “just trying to let everything sink in.”
The moment became real as he took the oath of office — a role he said he could not have foreseen before August 27, 2021.
“August 2021 changed my family’s life forever,” Kamara said. That was when 8-year-old Fanta Bility, his cousin, was killed by police gunfire as she left an Academy Park High School football game.
“When I got the call that I lost my cousin, that’s a call that nobody should ever feel. And at that moment, something had to be done,” Kamara said.
Drawing on his experience as a police officer, National Guard member, and employee of the attorney general’s office, Kamara pushed for increased training within the Sharon Hill Police Department. That effort could expand statewide through legislation known as “Fanta’s Law.”
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams said he is optimistic about the bill’s future, calling it “one of the rare cases where you have bipartisan support around this bill.”
Supporters said Kamara brings a valuable perspective as the son of Liberian immigrants.
“People see themselves in him, and it’s great to have that type of representation,” said Monica Taylor, chair of the Delaware County Council.
Anthony Moss, of Laborers’ Local 413, added, “I just think he’s going to bring a lot of things. A lot of good things.”
At 30, Kamara noted his place in history.
“I’m the youngest sheriff in America,” he said while speaking to a standing-room-only crowd inside the Delaware County Courthouse in Media.
Among those watching was his aunt, Tenneh Kromah, Fanta’s mother.
“He fought for Fanta. I’m so happy for that. To get this position, I’m so happy,” she said.
Kamara pledged to honor that responsibility.
“I’ll make this promise to you guys. I promise to serve with integrity, accountability, and to make sure everybody in Delaware County is protected and served equally,” he said.
Kamara said his faith guides him, noting that his swearing-in also marked another milestone: he is the first Muslim sheriff in Delaware County.
He said he plans to focus on improving training within the department, modernizing the office and expanding community outreach.
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