How To Qualify for Medical Marijuana in Delaware

Delaware Medical Marijuana Program

Delaware passed the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act in May of 2011, which went into effect on July of 2011. Now there are over 1,500 patients registered with the program and a state licensed dispensary opened in June of last year. The Division of Public Health or DPH is responsible for processing all medical marijuana cards and applications.

We go into detail about the Medical Marijuana laws in DE and show you if and how to qualify for medical marijuana in Delaware.

The Delaware Medical Marijuana Program

Residents of Delaware above the age of 18 suffering from certain debilitating conditions are able to apply for medical marijuana cards. You will just need to have your medical records assessed and a doctor that you’ve been seeing for 90 days must then write a certification of your debilitating medical condition.

After this you’ll just need to pay the application fee and provide personal information along with the doctor and dispensary that will be responsible for your medical marijuana treatment.

What conditions qualify for the Delaware Medical Marijuana Program?

The eligible conditions include:

• Cancer
• HIV
• Cirrhosis
• ALS (Lou Gherig’s Disease)
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• PTSD
• Cachexia
• Intractable nausea
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Seizures
• Severe & debilitating muscle spasms
• Severe of debilitating pain that has not responded to previous treatment

Can qualifying conditions be added to the list in the future?

The Department of Health and Social Services in Delaware can add further conditions to the list should they choose.

Where can you find a medical marijuana doctor in Delaware? 

Any licensed doctor in Delaware that has the ability to prescribe controlled substances may recommend patients to the medical marijuana program. However, doctors are not required to recommend marijuana to a patient and they must evaluate and treat patient’s medical condition with a professional standard of care.

Where are the legal cannabis dispensaries in Delaware?

In Delaware dispensaries are referred to as “Compassion Centers” and there is currently only one open in the state. The first state compassion center is located in the town of Wilmington and the state restricts the number of dispensaries that can be opened. Current state laws will only allow for up to 3 state-licensed dispensing centers to be open at a time.

Suchat Pederson/The News Journal

What can my medical card get me at a Delaware dispensary?

A medical card will get you up to 3 ounces per visit at any state-licensed dispensary. Cannabis oils, tinctures, ointments, and more will be available to patients. The state allows for the possession of up to 6 ounces of “usable marijuana.” This excludes the weight of non-marijuana ingredients inside an edible for example.

Where can you smoke?

Patients are forbidden from smoking in public and possession of marijuana on a school bus, school grounds, any correctional facility, or in any health care or treatment facility.

Are patients and caregivers shielded from discrimination?

No school, landlord, or employer may discriminate or deny any benefit to anyone enrolling, leasing to, or employing a medical marijuana card holder. Employers are allowed to prohibit or permit the ingesting of marijuana at the workplace and they may discipline workers for working under the influence.

What is the future of the Delaware Medical Marijuana Program?

The entire state is currently relying on one dispensing facility, two more facilities will be opened in the near future. The list of qualifying conditions can be added to. In fact, citizens may petition to add conditions or treatment to the list of debilitating medical conditions.