LEWES, Del.- The city of Lewes is moving forward with a public hearing on recreational marijuana in the beach town.
The city has not made a clear stance on if it wants to ban marijuana based businesses or regulate them. That course of action is contingent on the guidelines set by the state for marijuana businesses, which are yet to be determined.
“We don’t know what these guidelines are going to be,” said councilman Tim Ritzert. “I was just suggesting that we at least give the state legislatures and any bureaucracy in Dover a chance to shape something, and then we can react to that.”
The timeline for the potential implementation of marijuana-related initiatives remains tentative. While the state is slated to commence accepting applications for marijuana businesses this coming August, the issuing of licenses is not expected until May 2025.
The city faces a deadline, necessitating a decision by February 2025 to avoid falling under state regulations if postponed.
Other beach towns have already taken action restricting marijuana businesses, including South Bethany and Dewey Beach.
Council decided to set a date for a public hearing on recreational pot in a February meeting.