What are journalists missing from the state of Delaware? What would you most like WHYY News to cover? Let us know.

Delaware’s new recreational marijuana market is off to a slower start than expected, with stores ringing up $29.3 million in sales in the seven months since the industry launched, state statistics provided to WHYY News show.

That’s generated about $4.4 million in tax revenue for the state, based on the state’s 15% tax on cannabis sales.

The figures fall far short of what the state’s former marijuana commissioner estimated in 2023 after lawmakers legalized cannabis for adults over 21 and created the framework for the regulated market.

Delaware’s fledgling industry also has a long way to go before it can approach the per-capita sales in neighboring New Jersey and Maryland, a WHYY News analysis found.

Sales in New Jersey started in April 2022, and in Maryland began in July 2023. So while Delaware struggled for two years to launch its retail industry, many residents became accustomed to driving across the state line to buy legal cannabis.

Delaware finally began selling recreational weed on Aug. 1 at 13 existing medical marijuana dispensaries that paid $100,000 apiece for so-called conversion licenses.

The state Office of the Marijuana Commissioner has also granted conditional licenses to 16 prospective recreational cannabis retailers, though none have yet opened. A total of 30 retail-only stores are allowed by law.

The bottom line for now is that tiny Delaware is averaging $4.2 million a month in retail sales over seven months. Projected over a full year, that would amount to a little more than $50 million in sales and $7.5 million in tax revenue.

Delaware’s first marijuana commissioner, Robert Coupe, had predicted in 2023, however, that the state would have $281 million in annual sales that would generate $42 million in taxes.

But Coupe stepped down last January as Gov. Matt Meyer was about to take office, and Josh Sanderlin replaced him.

Sanderlin told WHYY News this week that he’s satisfied with retail sales figures to date for flowers, gummies and other cannabis products.

“I’m happy with how the program’s rolling out. We are seeing steady increases across the board,” Sanderlin said.

“We are rolling out some new licensees. We’ve had cultivators and some manufacturers come online and [more] are coming online, which helps expand the product base, helping lower prices for consumers. And most importantly, right now, we are working towards trying to ensure that more retailers can come online.”

Zoë Patchell, president of the Delaware Cannabis Advocacy Network, has been critical of how long it took Delaware to open its recreational market and said she’s not surprised that sales totals are only a fraction of previous predictions.

“I think it’s obvious that when prices for the same product in neighboring competitive legal markets are considerably lower, it’s not difficult to see why consumers are less eager to patronize Delaware’s legal market,” Patchell said. “A simple Google search shows that the same product is offered for much less in neighboring competitive states as close as Maryland.”

Patchell specified prices for Betty’s Eddies, a brand of edible products licensed in several states.

A search by WHYY News found that one store in Delaware sells a five-pack of 10-milligram “Smashin’ Passion Chews” for $18 plus tax, which brings the total to $20.70.

A store in Baltimore, however, sells a 10-pack of 10-mg “Smashin’ Passion Chews” — twice as much — for $20, plus Maryland’s 12% tax, for a total of $22.40.

“So consumers aren’t stupid,” Patchell said, “and it’s easy to see what the going rate for cannabis is.”

A new report found the condition of the roads in Maryland’s D.C. suburbs is costing residents over $3,500 annually.

This includes increased wear and tear on vehicles as well as depreciation, wasted fuel, wasted time and the cost of traffic accidents.

Rocky Moretti is the director of development and research at TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit. During a news conference Wednesday, he said the average driver in Maryland’s D.C. suburbs is spending an additional 90 hours per year stuck in traffic and wasting an additional 26 gallons of gas.

Statewide, 30% of Maryland roads are in “poor” condition, which Moretti said is significantly higher than the national average. The D.C. suburbs fare somewhat better, with 27% in poor condition, according to TRIP. Another 24% of Maryland’s roads in D.C. suburbs are rated in “mediocre” condition, compared with 21% statewide, the report found.

“I’m sad to say, you know, a lot of that stuff just rings true with me. For a long time, I was a local commissioner back about 20 years ago, in the early 2000s. And we were constantly wrestling with the need to put more money in our traffic infrastructure and just struggling to find the funding for that, as we saw state and federal dollars continue to drop,” said Jim Kercheval, executive director of the greater Hagerstown committee.

The report said the federal transportation program that was last reauthorized in 2021 was a significant boost to Maryland, increasing federal funding for roadways by 29%. Highway construction inflation since that bill was passed, however, has increased 47%. At the same time, the state is seeing decreasing revenues from gas taxes because of electric and more fuel efficient vehicles.

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• The Delmarva Peninsula, particularly Maryland, has deep historical ties to Irish immigrants.
• Ocean City celebrates this heritage with one of the Eastern Shore’s largest St. Patrick’s Day parades.
• Irish immigrants played a significant role in building American infrastructure, such as the B&O Railroad.

The Delmarva Peninsula is no strange to Irish heritage and history.

Now, ahead of St. Patrick’s Day on March 17, 2026, here’s a closer look at just how that rich Irish history has shaped Delmarva and one of its most popular resort towns.

Irish immigrants helped shape Maryland infrastructure

The state of Maryland, in particular, has deep historical ties to Irish immigrants.

According to the Delmarva Irish-American Club, thousands of Irish immigrants arrived through the Port of Baltimore seeking refuge amid the Irish Potato Famine during the 1840s and 1850s. Together, the immigrants built railroads, dug canals, and formed tight-knit communities in areas such as Locust Point and Fell’s Point in Baltimore.

Irish immigrants also played a big part in early American infrastructure in Maryland.

Throughout the 19th century, countless Irish immigrants helped construct portions of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad, the oldest railroad ever to be built in the United States. Even Delmarva Irish-American Club Vice President John R. O’Brien’s great grandfather was a stone mason on the second half of the Washington Monument.

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In what ways does Ocean City celebrate Irish culture?

Ocean City, Maryland’s first ever St. Patrick’s Day Parade took place in 1980. Since then, the parade and accompanying festival have grown into one of the Eastern Shore’s biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.

Following the influx of Irish immigration during the 1840s and 1850s, many individuals of Irish descent began to settle throughout Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region. Now, that heritage is reflected in local organizations, churches, music traditions and community-wide events such as Ocean City’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration will take place on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The procession will begin at noon at 57th Street on Coastal Highway, marching south to the 45th Street Shopping Center.

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How can people honor their Irish heritage at home?

There are many ways people of all ages can honor their Irish heritage and history alongside friends and family at home.

A few Irish-centered activities include:

• Listening to traditional Irish folk music
• Baking Irish soda bread or stew
• Learning about family genealogy
• Reading Irish literature and mythology
• Sharing Irish stories and folklore with children
• Decorating with Celtic symbols and shamrocks

Fun Irish phrases such as “Sláinte” (meaning cheers or good health), “Céad míle fáilte” (meaning a hundred thousand welcomes), and the Irish blessing “May the road rise to meet you,” can also be incorporated into daily vocabulary.

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What is the Delmarva Irish-American Club?

The Delmarva Irish-American Club was founded in 1980 by a small group of friends with the vision of celebrating the Feast Day of St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland, with a grand parade.

The club’s first membership drive resulted in 75 members. Today, there are nearly 300. The club is open to anyone who is Irish, of Irish descent, or likes all things Irish, Delmarva Now previously reported.

The Delmarva Irish-American Club — a 501(c)(3) social organization — is an all-volunteer, local charity that works year-round to celebrate and preserve Irish history and culture on the Eastern Shore.

“Our goal is to celebrate Irish heritage and share those traditions with the broader community while keeping them alive for the next generation,” Vice President John R. O’Brien shared.

The club is largely responsible for the Ocean City’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and also supports Irish music, dance and cultural events throughout the year. To learn more, visit www.delmarvairish.org.

Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.