[PRESS RELEASE] – WILMINGTON, Del., April 21, 2025 – Gov. Matt Meyer nominated attorney and government regulations expert Joshua Sanderlin to serve as Delaware’s next marijuana commissioner. Sanderlin has more than 15 years of experience advising businesses and policymakers on regulatory compliance, with a focus on shaping state-level cannabis laws and markets. His nomination will require confirmation by the Delaware Senate.
The nomination comes three months after former Marijuana Commissioner Rob Coupe resigned. Coupe was nominated by former Gov. John Carney.
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“Josh Sanderlin will bring deep expertise, steady leadership and a clear commitment to equity and accountability to the Office of the Marijuana Commissioner,” Meyer said. “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. With Josh at the helm, we’re ready to build a system that is safe, transparent and delivers real opportunity for hardworking Delawareans.”
About the Nominee
Joshua Sanderlin is an accomplished attorney and government affairs specialist with more than 15 years of experience advising businesses, investors and policymakers on regulatory compliance, licensing and public policy. His work has focused heavily on emerging and highly regulated industries, particularly the cannabis sector, where he has become a trusted adviser on multistate operations, licensing strategy and regulatory implementation.
As principal of Sanderlin Strategies PLLC, he has guided companies through complex legal and regulatory landscapes, securing cannabis licenses in numerous jurisdictions. His legal practice has also involved drafting compliance protocols, developing standard operating procedures, managing responses to regulatory enforcement actions, and engaging directly with policymakers and regulatory bodies to shape state-level cannabis laws.
Before launching his firm, Sanderlin served as an attorney at Greenberg Traurig LLP, where he represented public and private sector clients in litigation, regulatory compliance and legislative matters. His broader legal background includes expertise in administrative law, employment law, corporate governance and public policy.
Sanderlin holds a Juris Doctor from the Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law, a Master of Public Administration from Florida State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Jacksonville University. His work is grounded in a commitment to transparency, equity and responsible governance in emerging markets.
