FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Media Contact:
Jonah Anderson
[email protected]

HARRINGTON, Del. - Governor Matt Meyer today signed House Bill 411, formally renaming the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement (DATE) to the Division of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana Enforcement to reflect the agency's expanded responsibilities following the launch of Delaware's legal retail marijuana market.

Governor Meyer signed the legislation at the division's new office in Harrington, which was recently opened to accommodate additional staff and resources needed for marijuana enforcement.

"Today we take another step forward in ensuring a safe, legal adult-use marijuana market," said Governor Matt Meyer. "The ATM officers are on the front lines making sure Delaware's alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana laws are followed, licensees are held accountable, and our communities are protected. The name change may be small, but the responsibility these officers carry every day is not, and their work deserves to be recognized."

"This is about much more than a new name," said Secretary Joshua Bushweller. "It reflects how the agency is evolving to meet the needs of Delaware today - with a strong focus on education, prevention, compliance and partnership with law enforcement and communities across our state."

"As Delaware's new legal retail marijuana market is now fully up and running, it's important that we make sure our licensed retailers are operating responsibly and fully within the law," said Rep. Ed Osienski, House sponsor of HB 411. "Our Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement officers have a long track record of ensuring compliance and protecting the public, so extending that same expertise to marijuana enforcement is a natural next step for them. I want to thank them for being such great partners throughout this entire process and for being so willing to step up and take on this new role."

"As our state's marijuana market continues to operate and evolve, our laws and the agencies responsible for enforcing them need to evolve with it. Renaming the Division of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana Enforcement accurately reflects the agency's expanded responsibility," said Senator Trey Paradee, lead Senate sponsor of HB 411. "This legislation is about providing clarity, strengthening accountability, and supporting effective public safety."

The legislation reflects the division's existing responsibilities rather than creating new enforcement authority. DATE has enforced the Delaware Marijuana Control Act since recreational marijuana sales began, and legislation enacted in 2024 previously expanded the division's administrative inspection authority to include licensed marijuana premises.

House Bill 411 also updates statutory references from "agents" to "officers" to more accurately reflect the role of the law enforcement professionals responsible for enforcing Delaware's alcohol, tobacco and marijuana laws.

The legislation comes as Delaware continues to build the regulatory and enforcement framework surrounding its legal retail marijuana industry. The Division of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana Enforcement works alongside the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner on compliance and inspections to ensure licensed businesses operate in accordance with state law.

Governor Meyer thanked Division Director John Yeomans and the division's officers for their work enforcing Delaware's alcohol, tobacco and marijuana laws and recognized Marijuana Commissioner Joshua Sanderlin for his partnership with the division as the state has implemented its retail marijuana framework.

House Bill 411 was sponsored by Representative Ed Osienski, with Senators Trey Paradee and Jack Walsh, and passed the General Assembly with broad bipartisan support.

Governor Meyer was joined for the signing by Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Joshua Bushweller, Representative Osienski, Senator Paradee, Director Yeomans, and officers from the newly renamed Division of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Marijuana Enforcement.

Photos from the signing can be found here.

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