[PRESS RELEASE] – MILFORD, Del., July 31, 2025 — Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer and Marijuana Commissioner Josh Sanderlin toured First State Compassion, a MariMed-owned cannabis cultivation facility in Milford, on July 30 to get a firsthand look at how the state’s newest industry is preparing to open its doors for adult-use retail sales on Aug. 1.
Meyer and Sanderlin also met with students from Delaware Technical Community College who are part of the state’s first cannabis workforce training initiative. These students are learning industry best practices in cultivation, safe manufacturing protocols and compliance—skills that will prepare them to step into jobs across the growing cannabis sector.
Delaware’s adult-use cannabis market is projected to generate more than $40 million in annual revenue, creating new job opportunities and investment pathways across the state.
“The recreational cannabis market is a real opportunity to grow our economy, create good-paying jobs and allow us to right previous wrongs in our communities,” Meyer said. “The students at Del Tech who are already training to work in this new industry are an indicator that the future is bright. We’re committed to doing this the right way—with strong safety standards, quality training, and product testing that ensures Delawareans have access to safe, reliable cannabis. Delaware will truly be the French wine of weed.”
Six medical cannabis businesses with a total of 13 locations were awarded adult-use licenses earlier this summer. The Office of the Marijuana Commissioner (OMC) is actively working to issue additional licenses, including social equity licenses, and ensure the full market rollout is equitable, safe and efficient.
“We are working closely with partners across the cannabis industry to build a framework that is both effective and responsible,” Sanderlin said. “Thanks to the dedication of our team at the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner, we’re making meaningful progress towards a marketplace that is safe, equitable and built to serve all Delawareans.”
The governor and commissioner were joined by leadership from MariMed, which owns First State Compassion, as well as Delaware Tech faculty and workforce development staff. The group discussed job projections, upcoming retail activity and ways to support long-term industry success.
“This new and exciting industry promises great opportunities for Delaware’s workforce, from cultivation and laboratory testing to retail and regulatory compliance,” said Emily Wilkins, an educational training specialist at Del Tech and the vice president of compliance and quality at MariMed. “With the proper training, standards and support, we can empower Delawareans to lead in this growing field while setting a benchmark for safety, equity and professionalism.”
“I’ve witnessed firsthand the incredible potential of the cannabis industry to drive economic growth in Delaware,” said Nick Lee, senior cultivation manager for MariMed’s First State Compassion. “Programs like the Cannabis Industry Training Program are more essential than ever. Cultivation plays a critical role in creating quality jobs and advancing expertise for as responsible an industry as possible.”
