Delaware’s marijuana office finally has an appointed leader.
Joshua Sanderlin is a lawyer and lobbyist in the cannabis industry. Sanderlin is the founder of Washington, D.C.-based Sanderlin Strategies, which offers legal and business assistance, as well as lobbying, for weed businesses in Maryland and in the nation’s capital.
He was nominated by Gov. Matt Meyer in April and confirmed by the Senate on May 14 with 19 “yes” votes, with two senators absent.
Sanderlin Strategies provides cannabis law, compliance and government affairs services to members of the industry. Its website said it has consulted marijuana clients in seven states and the District of Columbia since 2013.
Sanderlin takes over after five months of Paul Hyland, who ran the office on an interim basis. Hyland assumed the role following the state’s first marijuana commissioner, Rob Coupe, who was appointed by former governor and now-Wilmington Mayor John Carney.
Coupe stepped down in January, right after licenses for recreational weed businesses were awarded. Since then, little progress has been made in opening the industry. The previous spring 2025 target to open businesses was a strikeout.
Now, Sanderlin has the task of getting the industry properly going. The process is still in its background check phase, which itself was delayed by weeks when the FBI held up the fingerprinting process. That has since been rectified, and license holders have begun the process to finish their background checks.
Sanderlin has the authority to award conditional licenses to those who pass the background checks. Those become active licenses if a business can get going within 18 months. If not, they could be rescinded, according to state law.
The state weed office said in April that it was unsure what changes Sanderlin would bring, but is excited to get to work.
“We’re all excited to finally be fully staffed and ready to chart a new course in Delaware’s marijuana industry,” the office said in a statement on April 21.
The industry has needed a guiding light to get the industry moving. When Meyer announced Sanderlin’s nomination on April 21, he said Sanderlin brings experience and expertise to the position.
“His experience navigating complex regulatory systems and work across the cannabis industry make him uniquely qualified to launch Delaware’s adult-use marijuana market quickly and correctly,” Meyer said in the written announcement. “With Josh at the helm, we’re ready to build a system that is safe, transparent, and delivers real opportunity for hardworking Delawareans.”
Shane Brennan covers Wilmington and other Delaware issues. Reach out with ideas, tips or feedback at slbrennan@delawareonline.com.
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