Duties and powers of the Commissioner [Effective until Oct. 21, 2026].
Del. Code tit. 4, § 1322
in effect(a) The Commissioner, in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29, shall do all of the following:
(1) Adopt rules and regulations consistent with § 1331 of this title and other provisions of this chapter or of any other law of this State, and all such rules and regulations have the force and effect of law. A rule or regulation may not extend, modify, or conflict with any law of this State or the reasonable implications thereof. A rule or regulation adopted under this paragraph (a)(1) must focus primarily on public safety and the best interests of the consumer and may not unduly restrict competition within the marijuana industry.
(2) Maintain ongoing communication with the Department of Agriculture regarding the physical address where marijuana or hemp is cultivated. Prior to issuing any license for cultivation of marijuana, the Commissioner shall notify the Department of Agriculture of a proposed location of any marijuana cultivation establishment, and take into consideration any concerns by the Department of Agriculture as it relates to the indoor and outdoor cultivation of marijuana.
(3) Establish rules and regulations for the effective control of the business of cultivation, manufacture, and sale of marijuana and marijuana products within the State, including the time, place, and manner in which marijuana and marijuana products may be sold and dispensed, not inconsistent with § 1331 of this title and other provisions of this chapter or with any other law of this State.
(4) Establish health and safety regulations for the indoor and outdoor cultivation of marijuana by marijuana establishments under this chapter. Such rules and regulations under this section must be consistent with applicable rules and regulations established under the regulatory authority of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and may include all of the following:
a. Prohibition of the use of pesticides that are neither organic nor federally approved for marijuana.
b. Standards for the use of carbon dioxide.
c. Standards for water use.
d. Standards for disposal of waste.
e. Standards for indoor and outdoor air quality.
(5) Grant, refuse, suspend, or cancel licenses required by this chapter for the cultivation, manufacture, or sale of marijuana and marijuana products, or other licenses required by this chapter in regard thereto and to transfer any license granted. The Commissioner must provide the applicant or licensee with written communication regarding any decision to grant, refuse, suspend, or cancel licenses required by this chapter for the cultivation, manufacture, or sale of marijuana and marijuana products, or other licenses required by this chapter in regard thereto, and when transferring any license granted.
(6) Hear complaints in regard to the conduct of business in any establishment where marijuana or marijuana products are licensed to be sold upon receipt of a petition signed by at least 10 individuals who are residents of the same neighborhood. Ten days’ notice of such hearings, together with a recital of the complaint, must be sent by the Commissioner’s office by registered mail to the address of the holder of the license for the establishment. Like notice must be delivered at the establishment by affixing the notice addressed to the holder of the license to the outside of an entrance door to the establishment. The hearings must be public and conducted by the Commissioner. The Commissioner, for the purpose of such hearings, has the power to issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony, and compel the production of pertinent books, payrolls, accounts, papers, records, and documents. In case any person summoned to testify or to produce any such written or printed evidence refuses, without reasonable cause, to be examined, to answer a legal and pertinent question, or to produce any such written or printed evidence, the Commissioner conducting the hearing may certify the fact of any such refusal to the Superior Court of the county in which such hearing is held and the court may proceed against the person so refusing as for a contempt and punish such person in the same manner as persons are punished for contempt of court.
(7) Compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of contracts, papers, books, accounts, and other documents. Subpoenas issued must be signed by the Commissioner and may be served by any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, or any agent of the Division and return thereof made to the Commissioner. The Commissioner may enforce compliance with a subpoena issued under this subsection by filing a motion to compel in the Superior Court, which shall have jurisdiction over the matter. The court may award costs and attorneys’ fees if it determines that noncompliance with a Commissioner subpoena was unjustified, intentional, or in bad faith.
(8) Act, for purposes of this chapter, as the competent authority in connection with other matters pertinent thereto.
(9) Provide such special seals, labels, and wrappers as deemed necessary for protection of the public against imitations, adulterations, and frauds, and prescribe the proper use of the seals, labels, and wrappers.
(10) Provide such warning signs as may be required by this chapter and distribute such signs to license holders and promulgate regulations with respect to the posting of said signs. The Commissioner may charge a fee to cover printing, handling, and distribution costs.
(11) Coordinate with the Division of Small Business to connect potential marijuana establishments licensed under this chapter with programs that support business development, including farms and programs that support small businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans.
(12) Establish rules and regulations for the effective collection of data regarding retail sales of marijuana and marijuana products.
(13) Consult with the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement before adopting or establishing any rules or regulations that concern enforcement.
(14) Oversee and administer the Delaware Medical Marijuana Act under Chapter 49A of Title 16.
(b) The Commissioner’s decision on any appeal or hearing under this chapter must be in writing and is final and conclusive unless a party to such hearing files an appeal within 30 days from the date of the postmark on the Commissioner’s decision by mailing notice of the appeal to the Commissioner’s office. Upon receipt of the appeal, the Commissioner shall notify the chair of the Appeals Commission of the pending appeal and the chair shall convene the Appeals Commission with at least 20 days’ notice to all parties. The Appeals Commission shall hear the appeal and shall: review the matter on the record; act in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, Chapter 101 of Title 29; and affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the Commissioner. A decision of the Commissioner may only be reversed upon a finding of abuse of discretion.
(c) The Commissioner may appear before the Appeals Commission for any appeal of a Commissioner’s decision and may appeal any decision of the Appeals Commission or any decision of the Superior Court on appeal from the Appeals Commission.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title4/c013/sc02/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026