The Delaware Medical Marijuana Act

Del. Code tit. 16, ch. 49A
in effect

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4901A Findings.

(a) Marijuana’s recorded use as a medicine goes back nearly 5,000 years. Modern medical research has confirmed the beneficial uses for marijuana in treating or alleviating the pain, nausea, and other symptoms associated with a variety of debilitating medical conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS, as found by the National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine in March 1999. (b) Studies published since the 1999 Institute of Medicine report have continued to show the therapeutic value of marijuana in treating a wide array of debilitating medical conditions. These include relief of the neuropathic pain caused by multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, and other illnesses that often fails to respond to conventional treatments and relief of nausea, vomiting, and other side effects of drugs used to treat HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C, increasing the chances of patients continuing on life-saving treatment regimens. Specifically, in February 2010, the Center for Medicinal Cannabis Research released a lengthy report that summarized 15 recent studies clearly demonstrating marijuana’s medical efficacy for a broad range of conditions. These studies, many of which were double blind, placebo-controlled trials, included neuropathic pain trials published in the Journal of Pain, Neuropsychopharmacology and Neurology , a study on the analgesic efficacy of smoked marijuana published in Anesthesiology , a study on the mechanisms of cannabinoid analgesia in rats published in Pain , and a study on vaporization as a “smokeless” marijuana delivery system published in Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics . (c) Marijuana has many currently accepted medical uses in the United States, having been recommended by thousands of licensed physicians to at least 350,000 patients in states with medical marijuana laws. Marijuana’s medical utility has been recognized by a wide range of medical and public health organizations, including the American Academy of HIV Medicine, the American College of Physicians, the American Nurses Association, the American Public Health Association and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. (d) Data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reports and the Compendium of Federal Justice Statistics show that approximately 99 out of every 100 marijuana arrests in the U.S. are made under state law, rather than under federal law. Consequently, changing state law will have the practical effect of protecting from arrest the vast majority of seriously ill patients who have a medical need to use marijuana. (e) Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Washington have removed state-level criminal penalties from the medical use of marijuana. Delaware joins in this effort for the health and welfare of its citizens. (f) States are not required to enforce federal law or prosecute people for engaging in activities prohibited by federal law. Therefore, compliance with this chapter does not put the State of Delaware in violation of federal law. (g) State law should make a distinction between the medical and nonmedical uses of marijuana. Hence, the purpose of this chapter is to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, as well as their health-care practitioners and providers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other penalties, and property forfeiture if such patients engage in the medical use of marijuana.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4902A Definitions [For application of this section, see 85 Del. Laws, c. 253, § 23] [Effective until May 21, 2027].

For purposes of this chapter: (1) “Cardholder” means a qualifying patient or a designated caregiver who has been issued and possesses a valid registry identification card. (2) “Commissioner” means as defined in § 1302 of Title 4. (3) “Compassion center agent” means a principal officer, board member, employee, or agent of a registered compassion center who is 21 years of age or older and has not been convicted of an excluded felony offense or drug misdemeanor within 5 years. (4) “Department” means the Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security or its successor agency. (5) “Designated caregiver” means a person who: a. Is at least 21 years of age unless the person is the parent or legal guardian of a minor who is a qualifying patient; b. Has agreed to assist with a patient’s medical use of marijuana; c. Has not been convicted of an excluded felony offense; and d. Assists no more than 5 qualifying patients with their medical use of marijuana. (6) “Enclosed, locked facility” means a greenhouse, building, or other enclosed area equipped with locks or other security devices that is on a registered compassion center’s property and permits access only to the compassion center agents working for the registered compassion center. (7) “Excluded felony offense” means: (a) A violent crime defined in § 4201(c) of Title 11, that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted; or (b) A violation of a state or federal controlled substance law that was classified as a felony in the jurisdiction where the person was convicted, not including: (1) An offense for which the sentence, including any term of probation, incarceration, or supervised release, was completed 10 or more years earlier; or (2) An offense that consisted of conduct for which this chapter would likely have prevented a conviction, but the conduct either occurred prior to July 1, 2011, or was prosecuted by an authority other than the State of Delaware. (8) “Health-care practitioner” means an individual who is licensed and authorized to write medical orders under Title 24 as a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician associate, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. If the qualifying patient is younger than 18 years of age, the health-care practitioner must be a physician who is a pediatric neurologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric oncologist, pediatric psychiatrist, developmental pediatrician, or pediatric palliative care specialist. (9) “Intractable epilepsy” means an epileptic seizure disorder for which standard medical treatment does not prevent or significantly ameliorate recurring, uncontrolled seizures or for which standard medical treatment results in harmful side effects. (10) “Labor organization” means a bona fide labor organization of any kind, including an employee representation committee, group, or association, in which employees participate and which exists and is constituted for the purpose, in whole or in part, of collective bargaining or otherwise dealing with compassion center or safety compliance facility employers concerning grievances, labor disputes, terms or conditions of employment, including wages and rates of pay, or other mutual aid or protection in connection with employment, and is characterized by 1 or more of the following: a. Being a party to 1 or more executed collective bargaining agreements with medical or personal use marijuana employers, in this State or another state. b. Having a written constitution or bylaws in the 3 immediately preceding years. c. Filing the annual financial report required of labor organizations under 29 U.S.C. § 431(b) or having at least 1 audited financial report in the 3 immediately preceding years. d. Being affiliated with any regional or national association of unions, including state and federal labor councils. e. Being a member of a national labor organization that has at least 500 general members in a majority of the 50 states of the United States. (11) “Labor peace agreement” means an agreement between a labor organization and a registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility employer that, at a minimum, includes all of the following: a. Prohibits the labor organization and members from engaging in picketing, work stoppages, boycotts, or any other economic interference with the business of the employer. b. Prohibits the employer from disrupting efforts by the labor organization to communicate with and attempt to organize and represent employees. c. Provides the labor organization access at reasonable times to areas in which the employees work, for the purpose of meeting with employees to discuss their right to representation, employment rights under state law, and terms and conditions of employment. (12) “Marijuana” has the meaning given that term in § 4701 of this title. (13) “Medical condition” means 1 or more of the following: a. Terminal illness, cancer, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, decompensated cirrhosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, agitation of Alzheimer’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder, intractable epilepsy, seizure disorder, glaucoma, chronic debilitating migraines, new daily persistent headache, or the treatment of these conditions. b. A chronic or debilitating disease or medical condition or its treatment that produces 1 or more of the following: cachexia or wasting syndrome; severe, debilitating pain that has not responded to previously prescribed medication or surgical measures for more than 3 months or for which other treatment options produced serious side effects; intractable nausea; seizures; severe and persistent muscle spasms, including those characteristic of multiple sclerosis. c. Any other diagnosed medical condition or disease for which a health-care practitioner determines a patient would receive palliative or therapeutic benefit from the use of medical marijuana. (14) “Medical marijuana oil” means any of the following: a. “Cannabidiol oil” which is a processed Cannabis plant extract that contains at least 15% cannabidiol but no more than 7% tetrahydrocannabinol, or a dilution of the resin of the Cannabis plant that contains at least 50 milligrams of cannabidiol per milliliter but not more than 7% tetrahydrocannabinol. b. “THC-A oil” which is a processed Cannabis plant extract that contains at least 15% tetrahydrocannabinol acid but not more than 7% tetrahydrocannabinol, or a dilution of the resin of the Cannabis plant that contains at least 50 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol acid per milliliter but not more than 7% tetrahydrocannabinol. c. Any change in the oil formulation which is made by the Commissioner. (15) “Medical use” means the acquisition; administration; delivery; possession; transportation; transfer; transportation; or use of marijuana or paraphernalia relating to the administration of marijuana to treat or alleviate a registered qualifying patient’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the patient’s medical condition. (16) “Physician” means a properly licensed physician subject to Chapter 17 of Title 24 except as otherwise provided in this paragraph. If the qualifying patient is younger than 18 years of age, the physician must be a pediatric neurologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric oncologist or pediatric palliative care specialist. (17) “Qualifying patient” means an individual who meets the qualifications to receive a registry identification card under this chapter. (18) “Registered compassion center” means a not-for-profit entity registered pursuant to § 4914A of this title that acquires, possesses, cultivates, manufactures, delivers, transfers, transports, sells, supplies, or dispenses marijuana, paraphernalia, or related supplies and educational materials to registered qualifying patients who have designated the dispenser to cultivate marijuana for their medical use and the registered designated caregivers of these patients. (19) “Registered safety compliance facility” means a nonprofit entity registered under § 4915A of this title by the Commissioner to provide 1 or more of the following services: testing marijuana produced for medical use or under Chapter 13 of Title 4 for potency and contaminants; and training cardholders, compassion center agents, and owners and employees of entities operating under Chapter 13 of Title 4. The training may include, but need not be limited to, information related to 1 or more of the following: a. The safe and efficient cultivation, harvesting, packaging, labeling, and distribution of marijuana; b. Security and inventory accountability procedures; and c. Up-to-date scientific and medical research findings related to medical marijuana. (20) “Registry identification card” means a document issued by the Commissioner that identifies a person as 1 of the following: a. A registered qualifying adult patient. b. A registered designated caregiver for a qualifying adult patient. c. A registered designated caregiver for a pediatric patient. d.-h. [Repealed.] (21) “Safety compliance facility agent” means a principal officer, board member, employee, or agent of a registered safety compliance facility who is 21 years of age or older and has not been convicted of an excluded felony offense. (22) “Terminal illness” means any disease, illness or condition sustained by any human being: a. For which there is no reasonable medical expectation of recovery; b. Which, as a medical probability, will result in the death of such human being regardless of the use or discontinuance of medical treatment implemented for the purpose of sustaining life or the life processes; and c. As a result of which, the human being’s health-care practitioner would not be surprised if death were to occur within 12 months. (23) “Usable marijuana” means the dried leaves and flowers of the marijuana plant and any mixture or preparation of those dried leaves and flowers, including but not limited to tinctures, ointments, other preparations including medical marijuana oil, but does not include the seeds, stalks, and roots of the plant. It does not include the weight of any nonmarijuana ingredients combined with marijuana, such as ingredients added to prepare a topical administration, food, or drink. (24) “Verification system” means a phone or Web-based system that is available to law-enforcement personnel and compassion center agents on a 24-hour basis for verification of registry identification cards. (25) “Written certification” means a document dated and signed by a health-care practitioner, stating that in the health-care practitioner’s professional opinion the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marijuana to treat or alleviate the patient’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the medical condition. A written certification shall be made only in the course of a bona fide health-care practitioner-patient relationship where the qualifying patient is under the health-care practitioner’s care for the patient’s primary care or for the patient’s medical condition after the health-care practitioner has completed an assessment of the qualifying patient’s medical history and current medical condition. The bona fide health-care practitioner-patient relationship may not be limited to authorization for the patient to use medical marijuana or consultation for that purpose. The written certification must specify the qualifying patient’s medical condition, and, if applicable, that the medical condition is a terminal illness.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4903A Protections for the medical use of marijuana.

(a) A registered qualifying patient shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for the medical use of marijuana pursuant to this chapter, if the registered qualifying patient does not possess more than 6 ounces of usable marijuana. (b) A registered designated caregiver shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau: (1) For assisting a registered qualifying patient to whom the registered designated caregiver is connected through the Commissioner’s registration process with the medical use of marijuana if the designated caregiver does not possess more than 6 ounces of usable marijuana for each qualifying patient to whom the registered designated caregiver is connected through the Commissioner’s registration process; and (2) For receiving compensation for costs associated with assisting a registered qualifying patient’s medical use of marijuana if the registered designated caregiver is connected to the registered qualifying patient through the Commissioner’s registration process. (c) [Repealed.] (d) A registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver shall not be subject to prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau for possession of seeds and stalks. (e) A registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau for giving marijuana to a registered qualifying patient, a registered compassion center, or a registered designated caregiver for a registered qualifying patient’s medical use where nothing of value is transferred in return, or for offering to do the same, if the person giving the marijuana does not knowingly cause the recipient to possess more marijuana than is permitted by this section. (f) (1) There shall be a presumption that a qualifying patient is engaged in, or a designated caregiver is assisting with, the medical use of marijuana in accordance with this chapter if the qualifying patient or designated caregiver: a. Is in possession of a valid registry identification card; and b. Is in possession of an amount of marijuana that does not exceed the amount allowed under subsections (a), (b) and (c) [repealed] of this section. (2) The presumption may be rebutted by evidence that conduct related to marijuana was not for the purpose of treating or alleviating the qualifying patient’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the medical condition in compliance with this chapter. (g) A health-care practitioner may not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty in any manner, or denied any right or privilege, including a civil penalty or disciplinary action by the Delaware Medical Board or by any other occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, solely for providing written certifications or for otherwise stating that, in the health-care practitioner’s professional opinion, a patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marijuana to treat or alleviate the patient’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the medical condition or for refusing to provide such written certifications or statements, provided that nothing in this chapter is deemed to release a health-care practitioner from the duty to exercise a professional standard of care for evaluating or treating a patient’s medical condition. (h) No person may be subject to arrest, prosecution, or denial of any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or occupational or professional licensing board or bureau, for: (1) Selling marijuana paraphernalia to a cardholder upon presentation of an unexpired registry identification card in the recipient’s name or to a compassion center agent or safety compliance facility agent upon presentation of an unexpired copy of the entity’s registration certificate; (2) Being in the presence or vicinity of the medical use of marijuana as allowed under this chapter; or (3) Assisting a registered qualifying patient with using or administering marijuana. (i) A registered compassion center shall not be subject to prosecution; search or inspection, except by the Commissioner pursuant to § 4919A(u) of this title; seizure; or penalty in any manner, or be denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or business licensing board or entity, for: (1) Acting pursuant to this chapter and Commissioner regulations to acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, deliver, transfer, transport, supply, sell, or dispense marijuana or related supplies and educational materials to registered qualifying patients who have designated the compassion center to provide for them, to registered designated caregivers on behalf of the registered qualifying patients who have designated the registered compassion center, or to other registered compassion centers; (2) Selling or transferring marijuana seeds to entities that are licensed or registered in another jurisdiction to dispense marijuana for medical purposes; or (3) Transferring marijuana to and from a registered safety compliance facility for the purposes of analytical testing. (j) A compassion center agent shall not be subject to prosecution, search, or penalty in any manner, or be denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or business licensing board or entity, for working or volunteering for a registered compassion center pursuant to this chapter and Commissioner regulations to perform the actions on behalf of a registered compassion center that are authorized by this chapter. (k) A Delaware facility which meets FDA-accepted security and operational standards shall not be subject to prosecution; search, except by the Commissioner under § 4919A(u) of this title; seizure; or penalty in any manner, or be denied any right or privilege, including civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or business licensing board or entity, solely for acting in accordance with this chapter, Commissioner regulations, or federal law for the purposes of conducting research on marijuana under § 4928A of this title and pursuant to all applicable federal law on medical marijuana. ( l ) A registered safety compliance facility and safety compliance facility agents acting on behalf of a registered safety compliance facility shall not be subject to prosecution; search, except by the Commissioner pursuant to § 4919A(u) of this title; seizure; or penalty in any manner, or be denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or business licensing board or entity, solely for acting in accordance with this chapter and Commissioner regulations to provide the following services: (1) Acquiring or possessing marijuana obtained from registered compassion centers; (2) Returning the marijuana to the same registered compassion centers; (3) Transporting marijuana that was produced by registered compassion centers to or from those registered compassion centers; (4) Cultivating, manufacturing, and possessing marijuana for training and analytical testing; (5) The production or sale of educational materials related to medical marijuana; (6) The production, sale, or transportation of equipment or materials other than marijuana to registered compassion centers, including lab equipment and packaging materials, that are used by registered compassion centers; (7) Testing of medical marijuana samples, including for potency and contamination; (8) Providing training to prospective compassion center agents and compassion center agents, provided that only compassion center agents and safety compliance facility agents may be allowed to possess or cultivate marijuana and any possession or cultivation of marijuana must occur on the location registered with the Commissioner; and (9) Receiving compensation for actions allowed under this section. (m) An entity that is registered to dispense marijuana for medical use in other jurisdictions shall not be subject to prosecution; search or inspection, except by the Commissioner pursuant to § 4919A(u) of this title; seizure; or penalty in any manner or be denied any right or privilege, including but not limited to civil penalty or disciplinary action by a court or business licensing board or entity, for providing marijuana seeds to registered compassion centers. (n) Any marijuana, marijuana paraphernalia, licit property, or interest in licit property that is possessed, owned, or used in connection with the medical use of marijuana as allowed under this chapter, or acts incidental to such use, shall not be seized or forfeited. This chapter shall not prevent the seizure or forfeiture of marijuana exceeding the amounts allowed under this chapter nor shall it prevent seizure or forfeiture if the basis for the action is unrelated to the marijuana that is possessed, manufactured, transferred, or used pursuant to this chapter. (o) Mere possession of, or application for, a registry identification card or registration certificate shall not constitute probable cause or reasonable suspicion, nor shall it be used to support the search of the person, property, or home of the person possessing or applying for the registry identification card. The possession of, or application for, a registry identification card shall not preclude the existence of probable cause if probable cause exists on other grounds. (p) For the purposes of Delaware state law, the medical use of marijuana by a cardholder or registered compassion center shall be considered lawful as long as it is in accordance with this chapter. (q) Where a state-funded or locally funded law-enforcement agency encounters an individual who, during the course of the investigation, credibly asserts that the individual is a registered cardholder, or encounters an entity whose personnel credibly assert that it is a registered compassion center, the law-enforcement agency shall not provide any information from any marijuana-related investigation of the person to any law-enforcement authority that does not recognize the protection of this chapter and any prosecution of the individual, individuals, or entity for a violation of this chapter shall be conducted pursuant to the laws of this State.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4904A Limitations [Effective until May 21, 2027].

(a) This chapter does not authorize any person to engage in, and does not prevent the imposition of any civil, criminal, or other penalties for engaging in, the following conduct: (1) Undertaking any task under the influence of marijuana, when doing so would constitute negligence or professional malpractice; (2) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, possessing marijuana, or otherwise engaging in the medical use of marijuana: a. In a school bus; b. On the grounds of any preschool or primary or secondary school; or c. In any correctional facility. d. In any health care or treatment facility operated by the Department of Health and Social Services or funded contractually through the Department of Health and Social Services. (3) Smoking marijuana: a. In any form of transportation; or b. In any public place. (4) Operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or motorboat while under the influence of marijuana, except that a registered qualifying patient shall not be considered to be under the influence of marijuana solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of marijuana. (5) Using marijuana if that person does not have a medical condition. (6) Transferring marijuana to any person who is not allowed to possess marijuana under this chapter. (b) School exceptions. — Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a designated caregiver registered pursuant to § 4908A of this title may possess for the purpose of administering, and may administer to a minor qualifying patient medical marijuana oil in a school bus and on the grounds or property of the preschool, or primary or secondary school in which a minor qualifying patient is enrolled. The designated caregiver shall not be a school nurse or other school employee hired or contracted by a school unless the designated caregiver is a parent or legal guardian of the minor qualifying patient, and said parent or legal guardian possesses no more than the number of doses prescribed per day of medical marijuana oil which is kept at all times on their person. Provided further, this exception shall only apply within the physical boundaries of the State of Delaware.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4905A Discrimination prohibited.

(a) (1) No school or landlord may refuse to enroll or lease to, or otherwise penalize, a person solely for the person’s status as a registered qualifying patient or a registered designated caregiver, unless failing to do so would cause the school or landlord to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or regulations. (2) For the purposes of medical care, including organ transplants, a registered qualifying patient’s authorized use of marijuana under this chapter is considered the equivalent of the authorized use of any other medication used at the direction of a health-care practitioner and does not constitute the use of an illicit substance or otherwise disqualify a qualifying patient from needed medical care. (3) Unless a failure to do so would cause the employer to lose a monetary or licensing-related benefit under federal law or federal regulations, an employer may not discriminate against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment, or otherwise penalize a person, if the discrimination is based upon either of the following: a. The person’s status as a cardholder; or b. A registered qualifying patient’s positive drug test for marijuana components or metabolites, unless the patient used, possessed, or was impaired by marijuana on the premises of the place of employment or during the hours of employment. (b) A person otherwise entitled to custody of or visitation or parenting time with a minor shall not be denied such a right, and there shall be no presumption of neglect or child endangerment, for conduct allowed under this chapter, unless the person’s actions in relation to marijuana were such that they created an unreasonable danger to the safety of the minor as established by clear and convincing evidence. (c) No school, landlord, or employer may be penalized or denied any benefit under state law for enrolling, leasing to, or employing a cardholder.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4907A Acts not required, acts not prohibited.

(a) Nothing in this chapter requires any of the following: (1) A government medical assistance program or private health insurer to reimburse a person for costs associated with the medical use of marijuana; (2) Any person or establishment in lawful possession of property to allow a guest, client, customer, or other visitor to smoke marijuana on or in that property; or (3) An employer to allow the ingestion of marijuana in any workplace or to allow any employee to work while under the influence of marijuana, except that a registered qualifying patient shall not be considered to be under the influence of marijuana solely because of the presence of metabolites or components of marijuana. (4) A health-care practitioner to provide a written certification or otherwise recommend marijuana to a patient. (b) Nothing in this chapter prohibits an employer from disciplining an employee for ingesting marijuana in the workplace or working while under the influence of marijuana. (c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent the arrest or prosecution of a registered qualifying patient for reckless driving or driving under the influence of marijuana where probable cause exists.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4908A Registration of qualifying patients and designated caregivers [For application of this section, see 82 Del. Laws, c. 246, § 5].

(a) The Commissioner shall issue registry identification cards to qualifying patients who submit all of the following, in accordance with the Commissioner’s final regulations: (1) Either of the following: a. A written certification issued by a health-care practitioner within 90 days immediately preceding the date of an application. The written certification must specify the qualifying patient’s medical condition and, if applicable, that the medical condition is a terminal illness. b. If the qualifying patient is 65 years of age or older, a self-certification on a form to be provided by the Department that the patient is using marijuana for medical purposes. (2) The application or renewal fee. (3) The name, address, and date of birth of the qualifying patient, except that if the applicant is homeless no address is required. (4) The name, address, and telephone number of the qualifying patient’s health-care practitioner, unless the qualifying patient is 65 years of age or older and self-certifies the patient’s eligibility under paragraph (a)(1) of this section. (5) The name, address, and date of birth of the designated caregiver, if any, chosen by the qualifying patient. (6) [Repealed]. (7) A statement signed by the qualifying patient, pledging not to divert marijuana to anyone who is not allowed to possess marijuana pursuant to this chapter. (8) A signed statement from the designated caregiver, if any, agreeing to be designated as the patient’s designated caregiver and pledging not to divert marijuana to anyone who is not allowed to possess marijuana pursuant to this chapter. (b) Registry identification card applications shall be available no later than the day the Commissioner publishes final regulations. (c), (d) [Repealed.]

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4909A Issuance of registry identification cards [For application of this section, see 82 Del. Laws, c. 213, § 7].

(a) The Commissioner shall: (1) Verify the information contained in an application or renewal submitted pursuant to this chapter, and shall approve or deny an application or renewal within 45 days of receiving a completed application or renewal application. (2) Issue registry identification cards to a qualifying patient and the qualifying patient's designated caregiver, if any, within 30 days of approving the application or renewal. A designated caregiver must have a registry identification card for each of the designated caregiver's qualifying patients. (3) Enter the registry identification number of the registered compassion center the patient designates into the verification system. (b) [Repealed.] (c) A qualifying patient who is under 18 years of age may only receive marijuana oil.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4910A Denial of registry identification cards [For application of this section, see 82 Del. Laws, c. 213, § 7].

(a) The Commissioner shall deny an application or renewal of a qualifying patient’s registry identification card only if the applicant: (1) Did not provide the required information and materials; (2) Previously had a registry identification card revoked; or (3) Provided false or falsified information. (b) The Commissioner shall deny an application or renewal for a designated caregiver chosen by a qualifying patient whose registry identification card was granted only if: (1) The designated caregiver does not meet the requirements of § 4902A(5) of this title; (2) The applicant did not provide the information required; (3) The designated caregiver previously had a registry identification card revoked; or (4) The applicant or the designated caregiver provides false or falsified information. (c) A prospective designated caregiver shall obtain a background check in compliance with § 4927A of this title to enable the Commissioner to comply with subsection (b) of this section. Once a prospective designated caregiver has been granted a registry identification card, the designated caregiver must obtain a background check in compliance with § 4927A of this title every 3 years. (d) The Commissioner shall notify the qualifying patient who has designated someone to serve as the qualifying patient's designated caregiver if a registry identification card will not be issued to the designated caregiver. (e) (1) Denial of an application or renewal is considered a final Commissioner action. (2) A denial of an application or renewal for a registry identification card for a registered qualifying patient, pediatric patient, or registered designated caregiver is subject to judicial review. Jurisdiction and venue for judicial review are vested in the Superior Court. (3) [Repealed].

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4911A Registry identification cards [For application of this section, see 82 Del. Laws, c. 246, § 5].

(a) Registry identification cards must contain all of the following: (1) The name of the cardholder. (2) A designation of whether the cardholder is a designated caregiver or qualifying patient. (3) That the registered cardholder is 1 of the following: a. A qualifying adult patient. b. A designated caregiver for a qualifying adult patient. c. A designated caregiver for a pediatric patient. d.-h. [Repealed.] (4) The date of issuance and either of the following: a. The expiration date of the registry identification card. b. If the written certification states that the qualifying patient’s medical condition is a terminal illness, a statement that the registry identification card has an indefinite expiration date. (5) A random 10-digit alphanumeric identification number, that is unique to the cardholder. (6) If the cardholder is a designated caregiver, the random 10-digit alphanumeric identification number of the qualifying patient the designated caregiver is receiving the registry identification card to assist. (b) (1) Except as provided in this subsection, the expiration date of a registry identification card is 1 year after the date of issuance. (2) If the health-care practitioner stated in the written certification that the qualifying patient would benefit from marijuana until a specified earlier date, then the registry identification card expires on that date. (3) [Repealed]. (4) If the written certification states that the qualifying patient’s medical condition is a terminal illness, the expiration date of a registry identification card is indefinite. (5) The Department may issue a registry identification card to a qualifying patient or caregiver with an expiration date of 2 or 3 years after the date of issuance upon payment of a fee to be established by regulation under § 4923A of this title. (c) The Commissioner may, at its discretion, electronically store in the card all of the information listed in subsection (a) of this section, along with the address and date of birth of the cardholder, to allow it to be read by law-enforcement agents.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4912A Notifications to the Commissioner and responses; civil penalty.

(a) The following notifications and Commissioner responses are required: (1) A registered qualifying patient shall notify the Commissioner of any change in the registered qualifying patient's name or address, or if the registered qualifying patient ceases to have a medical condition, within 10 days of the change. (2) A registered designated caregiver shall notify the Commissioner of any change in the registered designated caregiver's name or address, or if the designated caregiver becomes aware the qualifying patient passed away, within 10 days of the change. (3) Before a registered qualifying patient changes designated caregiver, the qualifying patient must notify the Commissioner. (4) If a cardholder loses that cardholder's registry identification card, that cardholder's shall notify the Commissioner within 10 days of becoming aware the card has been lost. (b) When a cardholder notifies the Commissioner of items listed in subsection (a) of this section, but remains eligible under this chapter, the Commissioner shall issue the cardholder a new registry identification card with a new random 10-digit alphanumeric identification number within 10 days of receiving the updated information and pay a $20 fee. If the person notifying the Commissioner is a registered qualifying patient, the Commissioner shall also issue to the registered qualifying patient's registered designated caregiver, if any, a new registry identification card within 10 days of receiving the updated information. (c) If a registered qualifying patient ceases to be a registered qualifying patient or changes to that registered qualifying patient's registered designated caregiver, the Commissioner shall promptly notify the designated caregiver. The registered designated caregiver’s protections under this chapter as to that qualifying patient shall expire 15 days after notification by the Commissioner. (d) A cardholder who fails to make a notification to the Commissioner that is required by this section is subject to a civil infraction, punishable by a penalty of no more than $150. (e) The Commissioner shall administer a real-time statewide patient registry to facilitate patient choice in purchasing medical marijuana from any properly licensed Delaware Compassion Centers. The registry shall track patient purchases to comply with § 4919A(i) of this title. (f) If the registered qualifying patient’s certifying health-care practitioner notifies the Commissioner in writing that either the registered qualifying patient has ceased to suffer from a medical condition or that the health-care practitioner no longer believes the patient would receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from the medical use of marijuana, the card becomes null and void. However, the registered qualifying patient has 15 days to dispose of their marijuana or give it to a registered compassion center where nothing of value is transferred in return.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4913A Affirmative defense and dismissal for medical marijuana.

(a) Except as provided in § 4904A of this title and this section, an individual may assert a medical purpose for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution of an offense involving marijuana intended for the patient’s medical use, and this defense shall be presumed valid and the prosecution shall be dismissed where the evidence shows all of the following: (1) A health-care practitioner states that, in the health-care practitioner’s professional opinion, after having completed a full assessment of the individual’s medical history and current medical condition made in the course of a bona fide health-care practitioner-patient relationship, the patient is likely to receive therapeutic or palliative benefit from marijuana to treat or alleviate the individual’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the individual’s medical condition. (2) The individual was in possession of no more than 6 ounces of usable marijuana. (3) The individual was engaged in the acquisition, possession, use, or transportation of marijuana, paraphernalia, or both, relating to the administration of marijuana to treat or alleviate the individual’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the individual’s medical condition. (b) The defense and motion to dismiss shall not prevail if the prosecution proves that (1) The individual had a registry identification card revoked for misconduct; or (2) The purposes for the possession of marijuana were not solely for palliative or therapeutic use by the individual with a medical condition who raised the defense. (c) An individual is not required to possess a registry identification card to raise the affirmative defense set forth in this section. (d) If an individual demonstrates the individual’s medical purpose for using marijuana pursuant to this section, except as provided in § 4909A of this title, the individual shall not be subject to the following for the individual’s use of marijuana for medical purposes: (1) Disciplinary action by an occupational or professional licensing board or bureau; or (2) Forfeiture of any interest in or right to nonmarijuana, licit property. (e) (1) This section shall only apply for arrests made after July 1, 2011, until 75 days after registration for qualified patients is available, and (2) Thereafter, for arrests made after a valid application for a qualifying patient has been submitted and before the registry identification card has been received.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4914A Registration of compassion centers.

(a) Compassion centers may only operate if they have been issued a valid registration certificate from the Commissioner. When applying for a compassion center registration certificate, the applicant shall submit the following in accordance with Commissioner regulations: (1) An application fee in an amount determined by the Commissioner’s regulations. (2) The proposed legal name of the compassion center. (3) The proposed physical address of the compassion center and the proposed physical address of any additional locations, if any, where marijuana will be cultivated, harvested, packaged, labeled, or otherwise prepared for distribution by the compassion center. (4) The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member of the compassion center, provided that all such individuals shall be at least 21 years of age. (5) Any instances in which a business or not-for-profit that any of the prospective board members managed or served on the board of was convicted, fined, censured, or had a registration or license suspended or revoked in any administrative or judicial proceeding. (6) Proposed operating bylaws that include procedures for the oversight of the compassion center and procedures to ensure accurate record keeping and security measures that are in accordance with the regulations issued by the Commissioner pursuant to this chapter. The by-laws shall include a description of the enclosed, locked facility where medical marijuana will be grown, cultivated, harvested, packaged, labeled, or otherwise prepared for distribution by the compassion center. (7) Any information required by the Commissioner to evaluate the applicant pursuant to the competitive bidding process described in subsection (b) of this section. (8) a. If the applicant has 20 or more employees, a copy of a labor peace agreement, as required under § 4919A(y) of this title, or an attestation that the applicant will enter into a labor peace agreement and submit a copy of the completed labor peace agreement. b. If the applicant has under 20 employees, an attestation that the applicant will enter into a labor peace agreement as required under § 4919A(y) of this title within 60 days of hiring a twentieth employee and submit a copy. (b) The Commissioner shall evaluate applications for compassion center registration certificates using an impartial and numerically scored competitive bidding process developed by the Commissioner in accordance with this chapter. The registration considerations shall consist of the following criteria: (1) Documentation of not-for-profit status, consistent with § 4919A(a) of this title. (2) The suitability of the proposed location or locations, including but not limited to compliance with any local zoning laws and the geographic convenience to patients from throughout the State of Delaware to compassion centers if the applicant were approved. (3) The principal officer and board members’ character and relevant experience, including any training or professional licensing related to medicine, pharmaceuticals, natural treatments, botany, or marijuana cultivation and preparation and their experience running businesses or not-for-profits. (4) The proposed compassion center’s plan for operations and services, including its staffing and training plans, whether it has sufficient capital to operate, and its ability to provide an adequate supply of medical marijuana to the registered patients in the State. (5) The sufficiency of the applicant’s plans for record keeping. (6) The sufficiency of the applicant’s plans for safety, security, and the prevention of diversion, including proposed locations and security devices employed. (7) The applicant’s plan for making medical marijuana available on an affordable basis to registered qualifying patients enrolled in Medicaid or receiving Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance. (8) The applicant’s plan for safe and accurate packaging and labeling of medical marijuana, including the applicant’s plan for ensuring that all medical marijuana is free of contaminants. (c) No later than July 1, 2012, the Commissioner shall issue a request for applications for compassion center registration certificates. The Commissioner shall issue a compassion center registration certificate to the highest scoring applicant in each county by January 1, 2013. If there are only applicants from 1 or 2 counties, no later than January 1, 2013, the Commissioner shall issue a compassion center registration certificate to the highest scoring applicant in each county with an applicant. If the revenue received from the fees generated by this chapter and donations covers the cost of implementing the program established by this chapter, certificates will be awarded. (d) By January 1, 2014, the Commissioner shall issue additional registration certifications to at least 3 of the highest scoring applicants not already awarded a registration certificate, provided a sufficient number of qualified additional applicants have applied. If the Commissioner determines, after reviewing the report issued pursuant to § 4922A of this title, that additional compassion centers are needed to meet the needs of registered qualifying patients throughout the State, the Commissioner shall issue registration certificates to the corresponding number of applicants who score the highest. (e) (1) At any time after July 1, 2013, that the number of outstanding and valid registered compassion center certificates is lower than the number of registration certificates the Commissioner is required to issue pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner shall accept applications for compassion centers and issue registration certificates to the corresponding number of additional applicants who score the highest while ensuring at least 1 compassion center is registered in each county. (2) Notwithstanding subsections (c), (d), and paragraph (e)(1) of this section, an application for a compassion center registration certificate must be denied if any of the following conditions are met: a. The applicant failed to submit the materials required by this section, including if the applicant’s plans do not satisfy the security, oversight, or recordkeeping regulations issued by the Commissioner; b. The applicant would not be in compliance with local zoning regulations issued in accordance with § 4917A of this title; c. The applicant does not meet the requirements of § 4919A of this title; d. One or more of the prospective principal officers or board members has been convicted of an excluded felony offense or has been convicted of a misdemeanor drug offense, as provided in Title 16 or an equivalent offense from another jurisdiction, within 5 years from the date of application that is not excluded by § 4902A(7)b.2. of this title; and e. One or more of the prospective principal officers or board members has served as a principal officer or board member for a registered compassion center that has had its registration certificate revoked; and f. One or more of the principal officers or board members is younger than 21 years of age. (f) Before a compassion center is approved, it shall submit a registration fee to the Commissioner in the amount determined by the Commissioner’s regulations and, if a physical address had not been finalized when it applied, it shall submit a complete listing of all its physical addresses. (g) When issuing a compassion center registration certificate, the Commissioner shall also issue a renewable registration certificate with an identification number.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4915A Registration and certification of safety compliance facilities.

(a) Safety compliance facilities may only operate if they have been issued a valid registration certificate from the Commissioner. When applying for a safety compliance facility registration certificate, the applicant shall submit the following in accordance with Commissioner regulations: (1) A nonrefundable application fee in an amount determined by the Commissioner’s regulations; (2) The proposed legal name of the safety compliance facility; (3) The proposed physical address of the safety compliance facility; (4) The name, address, and date of birth of each principal officer and board member of the safety compliance facility, provided that all such individuals shall be at least 21 years of age; (5) Any instances in which a business or not-for-profit that any of the prospective board members managed or served on the board of was convicted, fined, censured, or had a registration or license suspended or revoked in any administrative or judicial proceeding; and (6) Any information required by the Commissioner to evaluate the applicant pursuant to the competitive bidding process described in subsection (b) of this section. (7) a. If the applicant has 20 or more employees, a copy of a labor peace agreement, as required under § 4919A(y) of this title, or an attestation that the applicant will enter into a labor peace agreement and submit a copy of the completed labor peace agreement. b. If the applicant has under 20 employees, an attestation that the applicant will enter into a labor peace agreement as required under § 4919A(y) of this title within 60 days of hiring a twentieth employee and submit a copy. (b) The Commissioner shall evaluate applications for safety compliance facility registration certificates using an impartial and numerically scored competitive bidding process developed by the Commissioner in accordance with this chapter. The registration considerations shall consist of the following criteria: (1) The proposed principal officers’ and board members’ relevant experience, including any training or professional licensing related to analytical testing, medicine, pharmaceuticals, natural treatments, botany, or marijuana cultivation, preparation, and testing and their experience running businesses or not-for-profits; (2) The suitability of the proposed location, including compliance with any local zoning laws and the geographic convenience to compassion centers from throughout the State of Delaware to registered safety compliance facilities if the applicant were approved; (3) The sufficiency of the applicant’s plans for safety, security, and the prevention of diversion, including proposed locations and security devices employed; and (4) The proposed safety compliance facility’s plan for operations and services, including its staffing and training plans, and whether it has sufficient capital to operate. (c) The Commissioner shall issue at least 1 safety compliance facility registration certificate to the highest scoring applicant by January 1, 2013, if the revenue received from the fees generated by this chapter and donations covers the cost of implementing the program established by this chapter. (d) (1) The Commissioner may issue additional safety compliance facility registration certificates to the highest scoring applicant or applicants. If the Commissioner determines, after reviewing the report issued pursuant to § 4922A of this title, that additional safety compliance facilities are needed to meet the needs of cardholders and registered compassion centers throughout the State, the Commissioner shall issue registration certificates to the corresponding number of applicants who score the highest. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (c) and paragraph (d)(1) of this section, an application for a safety compliance facility registration certificate must be denied if any of the following conditions are met: a. The applicant failed to submit the materials required by this section, including if the plans do not satisfy the security, oversight, or recordkeeping regulations issued by the Commissioner; b. The applicant would not be in compliance with local zoning regulations issued in accordance with § 4917A of this title; c. The applicant does not meet the requirements of § 4919A of this title; d. One or more of the prospective principal officers or board members has been convicted of an excluded felony offense or has been convicted of a misdemeanor drug offense, as provided in Title 16 or an equivalent offense from another jurisdiction, within 5 years from the date of application that is not excluded by § 4902A(7)b.2. of this title; e. One or more of the prospective principal officers or board members has served as a principal officer or board member for a registered safety compliance facility or registered compassion center that has had its registration certificate revoked; and f. One or more of the principal officers or board members is younger than 21 years of age. (e) Before a safety compliance facility is approved, it shall submit a registration fee paid to the Commissioner in the amount determined by Commissioner regulation and, if a physical address had not been finalized when it applied, its physical address. (f) When issuing a safety compliance facility registration certificate, the Commissioner shall also issue a renewable registration certificate with an identification number. The Commissioner shall also provide the registered safety compliance facility with the contact information for the verification system.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4916A Compassion center and safety compliance facilities renewal.

Registration certificates may be renewed every 2 years. The registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility may submit a renewal application beginning 90 days prior to the expiration of its registration certificate. The Commissioner shall grant a renewal application within 30 days of its submission if the following conditions are all satisfied: (1) The registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility submits a renewal application and the required renewal fee, which shall be refunded within 30 days if the renewal application is rejected; (2) The Commissioner has not suspended the registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility’s registration certificate for violations of this chapter or regulations adopted pursuant to this chapter; and (3) The inspections authorized by § 4919A(u) of this title and the annual report, provided pursuant to § 4922A of this title, do not raise serious concerns about the continued operation of the registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility applying for renewal. (4) The applicant still complies with the qualifications required in §§ 4914A and 4915A of this title.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4917A Local ordinances.

Nothing shall prohibit local governments from enacting ordinances or regulations not in conflict with this chapter or with Commissioner regulations regulating the time, place, and manner of registered compassion center operations and registered safety compliance facilities, provided that no local government may prohibit registered compassion center operation altogether, either expressly or though the enactment of ordinances or regulations which make registered compassion center and registered safety compliance facility operation unreasonably impracticable in the jurisdiction.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4918A Compassion center and safety compliance facility agents.

(a) (1) Every person seeking to become a principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer, or employee of a registered compassion center or a registered safety compliance facility shall obtain a background check in compliance with § 4927A of this title before beginning work, with or without compensation, at a registered compassion center or a registered safety compliance facility. Once a person becomes a principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer, or employee of a registered compassion center or a registered safety compliance facility, the person must obtain a background check in compliance with § 4927A of this title every 5 years. (2) A registered compassion center or a registered safety compliance facility may not employ, with or without compensation, any person who: a. Was convicted of an excluded felony offense; b. Is under 21 years of age; c. Has been convicted of a misdemeanor drug offense, as provided in this title or an equivalent offense from another jurisdiction, within 5 years from the date of the application that is not excluded in § 4902A(7)b.2. of this title. (3) The Commissioner is responsible for reviewing the background check of a person seeking to become, or who is, a principal officer, board member, agent, volunteer, or employee of a registered compassion center or a registered safety compliance facility to determine if the person complies with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The Commissioner shall notify the registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility if a person is disqualified under paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (b) A registered compassion center or safety compliance facility agent must have documentation when transporting marijuana on behalf of the registered safety compliance facility or registered compassion center that specifies the amount of marijuana being transported, the date the marijuana is being transported, the registry ID certificate number of the registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility, and a contact number to verify that the marijuana is being transported on behalf of the registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4919A Requirements, prohibitions, penalties.

(a) A registered compassion center shall be operated on a not-for-profit basis. The bylaws of a registered compassion center shall contain such provisions relative to the disposition of revenues to establish and maintain its not-for-profit character. A registered compassion center need not be recognized as tax-exempt by the Internal Revenue Service and is not required to incorporate pursuant to Title 8. (b) The operating documents of a registered compassion center shall include procedures for the oversight of the registered compassion center and procedures to ensure accurate recordkeeping. (c) A registered compassion center and a registered safety compliance facility shall implement appropriate security measures to deter and prevent the theft of marijuana and unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana. (d) A registered compassion center and a registered safety compliance facility may not be located within 500 feet of the property line of a preexisting public or private school. (e) A registered compassion center is prohibited from acquiring, possessing, cultivating, manufacturing, delivering, transferring, transporting, supplying, or dispensing marijuana for any purpose except to assist registered qualifying patients with the medical use of marijuana directly or through the qualifying patients’ designated caregivers. (f) All cultivation of marijuana for registered compassion centers must take place in an enclosed, locked location at the physical address or addresses provided to the Commissioner during the registration process, which can only be accessed by compassion center agents working or volunteering for the registered compassion center. (g) A registered compassion center may not purchase usable marijuana or mature marijuana plants from any person other than another registered compassion center. (h) Before marijuana may be dispensed to a designated caregiver or a registered qualifying patient, a compassion center agent must determine that the individual is a current cardholder in the verification system and must verify each of the following: (1) That the registry identification card presented to the registered compassion center is valid; (2) That the person presenting the card is the person identified on the registry identification card presented to the compassion center agent; and (3) That the registered compassion center is the designated compassion center for the registered qualifying patient who is obtaining the marijuana directly or via that registered qualifying patient's own designated caregiver. (i) A registered compassion center shall not dispense more than 3 ounces of marijuana to a registered qualifying patient, directly or via a designated caregiver, in any 14-day period. Registered compassion centers shall ensure compliance with this limitation by maintaining internal, confidential records that include records specifying how much marijuana is being dispensed to the registered qualifying patient and whether it was dispensed directly to the registered qualifying patient or to the designated caregiver. Each entry must include the date and time the marijuana was dispensed. These records must be maintained by the compassion centers for a minimum of 3 years. (j) [Repealed.] (k) No person may advertise medical marijuana sales in print, broadcast, or by paid in-person solicitation of customers. This shall not prevent appropriate signs on the property of the registered compassion center, listings in business directories including phone books, listings in trade or medical publications, or the sponsorship of health or not-for-profit charity or advocacy events. ( l ) A registered compassion center may not share office space with nor refer patients to a health-care practitioner. (m) A health-care practitioner may not refer patients to a registered compassion center or registered designated caregiver, advertise in a registered compassion center, or, if the health-care practitioner issues written certifications, hold any financial interest in a registered compassion center. (n) No person who has been convicted of an excluded felony offense or has been convicted of a misdemeanor drug offense, as provided in this title or an equivalent offense from another jurisdiction, within 5 years from the date of application that is not excluded by § 4902A(7)b.2. of this title may be a compassion center agent. (o) The Commissioner shall issue a civil fine of up to $3,000 for violations of this section. (p) The Commissioner shall suspend or revoke a registration certificate for serious or multiple violations of this chapter and regulations issued in accordance with this chapter. A registered compassion center may continue to cultivate and possess marijuana plants during a suspension, but it may not dispense, transfer, or sell marijuana. (q) The suspension or revocation of a certificate is a final Commissioner action, subject to judicial review. Jurisdiction and venue for judicial review are vested in the Superior Court. (r) Any cardholder who sells marijuana to a person who is not allowed to possess marijuana for medical purposes under this chapter shall have that cardholder's registry identification card revoked and shall be subject to other penalties for the unauthorized sale of marijuana. (s) Any registered qualifying patient, registered designated caregiver, compassion center agent, or safety compliance facility agent, including a principal owner, board member, employee or volunteer who has access to compassion center or safety compliance facility records, who sells marijuana to someone who is not allowed to use marijuana for medical purposes or who fails to maintain, fraudulently maintains, or fraudulently represents to the Commissioner records required by this chapter or rules promulgated pursuant to this chapter, for the purposes of selling marijuana to someone who is not allowed to use marijuana for medical purposes under this chapter is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $2,000, or both, in addition to any other penalties for the distribution of marijuana. (t) The Commissioner shall revoke the registry identification card of any cardholder who knowingly commits multiple or serious violations of this chapter. (u) Registered compassion centers are subject to random and reasonable inspection by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall give reasonable notice of an inspection under this paragraph. (v) Fraudulent representation to a law-enforcement official of any fact or circumstance relating to the medical use of marijuana to avoid arrest or prosecution shall be a class B misdemeanor which may be punishable by up to 6 months incarceration at Level V under § 4204 of Title 11 and a fine of up to $1,150, as the Court deems appropriate which shall be in addition to any other penalties that may apply for making a false statement or for the use of marijuana other than use undertaken pursuant to this chapter and jurisdiction for prosecution shall be exclusively in Superior Court. (w) Registration cards issued pursuant to § 4909A of this title shall be in the possession of the registrant while in possession of medical marijuana outside the registrant’s residence and may be subject to prosecution for failure to do so. If the registrant is unable to produce a valid § 4909A of this title registration card within 2 weeks of the summons, the penalty for a violation of this section shall be an unclassified misdemeanor and jurisdiction shall be exclusively in Superior Court. (x) For registered qualifying patients and designated caregivers, medical marijuana shall be contained, when not being prepared for ingestion or ingested and outside the registrant’s residence, within, sealed, tamperproof containers issued by compassion centers pursuant to Commissioner regulations and may be subject to prosecution for failure to do so. If the registrant is unable to produce a sealed, tamperproof container within 2 weeks of the summons, the penalty for a violation of this section shall be an unclassified misdemeanor. (y) If a registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility has 20 or more employees and is not a signatory to a valid and binding collective bargaining agreement covering the terms and conditions of employment for all employees, the registered compassion center or registered safety compliance facility must enter into and abide by the terms of a labor peace agreement with 1 or more labor organizations.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4920A Confidentiality.

(a) The following information received and records kept by the Commissioner for purposes of administering this chapter are confidential and exempt from the Delaware Freedom of Information Act [Chapter 100 of Title 29], and not subject to disclosure to any individual or public or private entity, except as necessary for authorized employees of the State of Delaware to perform official duties pursuant to this chapter: (1) Applications and renewals, their contents, and supporting information submitted by qualifying patients and designated caregivers, including information regarding their designated caregivers and health-care practitioners. (2) Applications and renewals, their contents, and supporting information submitted by or on behalf of compassion centers and safety compliance facilities in compliance with this chapter, including their physical addressees. (3) The individual names and other information identifying persons to whom the Commissioner has issued registry identification cards. (4) Any dispensing information required to be kept under § 4919A of this title or Commissioner regulation shall identify cardholders and registered compassion centers by their registry identification numbers and not contain names or other personally identifying information. (5) Any Commissioner hard drives or other data-recording media that are no longer in use and that contain cardholder information must be destroyed. The Commissioner shall retain a signed statement from a Commissioner employee confirming the destruction. (b) Nothing in this section precludes the following: (1) Commissioner employees shall notify law-enforcement about falsified or fraudulent information submitted to the Commissioner if the employee who suspects that falsified or fraudulent information has been submitted. (2) The Commissioner shall notify state or local law-enforcement about apparent criminal violations of this chapter. (3) Compassion center agents shall notify the Commissioner of a suspected violation or attempted violation of this chapter or the regulations issued pursuant to it. (4) The Commissioner shall verify registry identification cards pursuant to 4921A of this title. (5) The submission of the § 4922A of this title report to the legislature. Information obtained pursuant to this chapter is subject to the same protections and penalties afforded other health information under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), 45 C.F.R. Part 160, 162 and 164.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4921A Registry identification and registration certificate verification.

(a) The Commissioner shall maintain a confidential list of the persons to whom the Commissioner has issued registry identification cards and their addresses, phone numbers, and registry identification numbers. (b) The Commissioner shall maintain a verification system which shall be established by January 1, 2013. The verification system must allow law-enforcement personnel, compassion center agents, and safety compliance facility agents to enter a registry identification number to determine whether or not the number corresponds with a current, valid registry identification card. The system shall only disclose whether the identification card is valid; whether the cardholder is a registered qualifying patient or a registered designated caregiver; the registry identification number of the registered compassion center designated to serve the registered qualifying patient; and, if the cardholder is a registered designated caregiver, the registry identification number of the registered qualified patient who is assisted by the cardholder. (c) The Commissioner shall, with a cardholder’s permission, confirm the cardholder's status as a registered qualifying patient or registered designated caregiver to a landlord, employer, school, medical professional, or court. (d) The Commissioner shall disclose the names of any person whose registry identification card was revoked to any court where the person is seeking to assert the protections of 4913A of this title.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4922A Annual report by the Commissioner.

(a) [Repealed.] (b) The Commissioner shall submit to the Governor and the General Assembly an annual report that does not disclose any identifying information about cardholders, registered compassion centers, or health-care practitioners, but does contain, at a minimum, all of the following information: (1) The number of applications and renewals filed for registry identification cards. (2) The number of qualifying patients and designated caregivers approved in each county. (3) The nature of the medical conditions of the qualifying patients. (4) The number of registry identification cards revoked for misconduct. (5) The number of health-care practitioners providing written certifications for qualifying patients. (6) The number of registered compassion centers. (7) Specific accounting of fees and costs.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4923A Commissioner to issue regulations [For application of this section, see 82 Del. Laws, c. 246, § 5].

The Commissioner shall promulgate regulations regarding all of the following: (1) [Repealed]. (2) a. Establishing the form and content of registration and renewal applications submitted under this chapter. b. [Repealed.] (3) Governing the manner in which it shall consider applications for and renewals of registry identification cards. (4) Governing all of the following matters related to registered compassion centers and security compliance facilities, with the goal of protecting against diversion and theft, without imposing an undue burden on the registered compassion centers or compromising the confidentiality of cardholders: a. Minimum oversight requirements for registered compassion centers. b. Minimum recordkeeping requirements for registered compassion centers. c. Minimum security requirements for registered compassion centers, which shall include that each registered compassion center location must be protected by a fully operational security alarm system. d. The competitive scoring process addressed in §§ 4914A and 4915A of this title. e. Procedures for suspending or terminating the registration certificates or registry identification cards of cardholders, registered compassion centers, and registered safety compliance facilities that commit multiple or serious violations of the provisions of this chapter or the regulations promulgated pursuant to this section. f. The design and security features of medical marijuana containers to be provided by the compassion centers. (5) Requiring application and renewal fees for registry identification cards, and registered compassion center registration certificates, according to all of the following: a. The total fees collected must generate revenues sufficient to offset all expenses of implementing and administering this chapter, except that fee revenue may be offset or supplemented by private donations. b. The total amount of revenue from application, renewal, and registration fees for compassion centers and security compliance facilities must be sufficient to implement and administer the compassion center and safety compliance facility provisions of this chapter. c. The Commissioner may establish a sliding scale of patient application and renewal fees based upon a qualifying patient’s household income. d. The Commissioner may accept donations from private sources to reduce application and renewal fees. e. The total amount of revenue from application, renewal, and registration fees for compassion centers, security compliance facilities, and registry identification cards will be deposited to a special account within the Commissioner’s office for the operation of the program created by this chapter and shall be used as necessary to support program operations and growth. (6) [Repealed].

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4924A Enforcement of this chapter.

If the Commissioner fails to adopt regulations to implement this chapter within the times provided for in this chapter, any citizen may commence an action in Superior Court to compel the Commissioner to perform the actions mandated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4925A Severability.

Any section of this chapter being held invalid as to any person or circumstance shall not affect the application of any other section of this chapter that can be given full effect without the invalid section or application.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4927A Background checks.

(a) A person required to obtain a background check under this chapter shall submit fingerprints and other necessary information to the State Bureau of Identification in order to obtain all of the following: (1) A report of the person’s entire criminal history record from the State Bureau of Identification or a statement that the State Bureau of Identification Central Repository contains no such information relating to that person. (2) A report of the person’s entire federal criminal history record from the Federal Bureau of Investigation pursuant to Federal Bureau of Investigation appropriation of Title II of Public Law 92-544 (28 U.S.C. § 534) or a statement that the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s records contain no such information relating to that person. (b) The State Bureau of Identification shall be the intermediary for the purpose of subsection (a) of this section and shall forward all information required by subsection (a) of this section to the Commissioner. (c) The Commissioner shall use the background check required by this section only to determine if the person required to obtain a background check meets the requirements of this chapter. (d) A person required to obtain a background check under this chapter is responsible for any costs associated with obtaining the background check.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4928A Research.

(a) Research for the development of well-characterized and more-defined medical marijuana products for treatment of target indications, including demonstrations of safety and efficacy for treatment of medical conditions that often fail to respond to conventional treatment, may be conducted in Delaware. (b) Research performed under the authority of this chapter shall be conducted as follows: (1) In a facility which meets FDA-accepted security and operational standards. (2) Using practices and standards that ensure uniformity, consistency, reliability, reproducibility, quality, and integrity of data, including good laboratory standards (GLP) when required. (3) On plants grown from well-characterized and well-defined seed stock.

Del. Code tit. 16, § 4929A Reciprocity.

A person with a medical condition who possesses a registry identification card or equivalent certification from another state or territory of the U.S. and who would otherwise qualify to obtain a registry identification card in this State may use the out-of-state registry identification card or equivalent certification for any purpose for which the person would be authorized to use a registry identification card issued under this chapter.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c049a/index.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026