Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer (D) on Thursday vetoed a proposal to loosen local zoning regulations for licensed cannabis retailers, Spotlight Delaware reports.
The bill, Senate Bill 75, was strongly opposed by Republican lawmakers and county officials. The proposal aimed to counteract a wave of restrictive cannabis industry zoning rules adopted by local governments after the state passed its legalization policy. Proponents argued the bill would benefit small business owners and help grow the industry.
The governor instead pushed for a competing proposal that included sharing cannabis industry tax revenue with local governments.
“While I fully support the goals of implementing a safe, equitable, and accessible adult-use cannabis market in Delaware, displacing local land use authority without offering any corresponding partnership or support is not how we build durable, effective policy or trust.” — Meyer, in his veto letter
The bill’s sponsor, state Sen. Trey Paradee (D), rebuked the governor’s decision to veto in a statement, saying it “will do irreparable harm to dozens of small business owners who successfully won the lottery to open retail marijuana stores and grow facilities.”
Delaware launched its adult-use cannabis market earlier this month. Retailers reported over $625,000 in total sales during the opening weekend.
There are over 100 cannabis license holders in Delaware that have yet to open, the report said.
