City of Seaford removes clause from ordinance, approves sale of marijuana

The Seaford City Council approved the legal sale of marijuana in the city by removing a clause from the original ordinance that allowed it only after the federal government lowered the schedule. Two community members spoke during public comment, one opposed and one in favor of the local legal sale of marijuana. A third person, Emily Wilkins, Educational Training Specialist at DelTech and VP of Compliance & Quality at MariMed, a cannabis cultivation facility, spoke in favor of the change.

Community members spoke for and against the sale of recreational cannabis in Seaford. Seaford resident Frank Parks cited statistics of missed work, poor job performance, increases in Colorado hospitalizations related to cannabis use, and traffic fatalities by cannabis DUI.

Wilkins stated there is no scientific evidence of Parks’ reported facts. Wilkins also stated that science states cannabis is non-addictive. Scientific research by University of Colorado and National Institute of Health (NIH) are ongoing, especially in the field of testing for law enforcement. The state of Colorado does have a website with cannabis and driving data. According to the NIH, cannabis use can cause intoxication, withdrawal, and biopsychosocial issues. A range of disorders are associated, including psychosis, sleep disorders, withdrawal, and a scale of intoxication that leads to the diagnosis of a substance use disorder. (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538131/)

Melari Binet, a new U.S. citizen, holds the United States flag that was presented to her at a recent council meeting by her coworkers at HELP Initiative, Inc. In the photo are Seaford City Manager Charles Anderson, Mayor Matt MacCoy, Council members Orlando Holland, Mike Bradley, Dan Henderson, Stephanie Grassett, Alan Quillen, HELP Initiative Executive Director Charles Kistler, Harold Stafford, and Tyrel Barnes.

Councilman Mike Bradley voted against the changes saying the only reason that Seaford is allowing the sales, is to avoid being sued, noting Milford’s current legal battle.

In 2023, the city council voted on a code for special exceptions with appropriate conditions, limitations, and controls in the C-1 and C-2 districts. Additionally, the city would follow the lead of the federal government on its possible change from schedule I to a schedule II or III classification but until that time sale of recreational marijuana would remain prohibited. The federal government code of marijuana remains illegal,however, individual states have legalized the use and were able to do it because federal government said states were allowed to permit use. Delaware passed the marijuana use law with a provision that allows for local government to permit or ban marijuana use. According the 2023 state legislation, the city of Seaford would have the power to ban recreational marijuana as an individual municipality. However, recent struggles in Milford where the cannabis company, Fresh Delaware, filed a lawsuit after the council banned marijuana sales in Milford. The business had secured a state license in October 2024 to convert its medical dispensary to sell recreational cannabis. The municipalities are watching this case as it set a legal precedent in the state.

In other business, a new Kindercare childcare center plan was approved which will be located on Rawlings Drive. The new 12,000 square foot building is by Tidal Health for their employees children. Councilwoman Dr. Stephanie Grassett acknowledged TidalHealth for investing in their employees by providing a place for them to access care for their children.

The results of a survey funded by the Criminal Justice Council and completed by the Health Initiative was presented to council. Executive Director Charles Kistler thanked Seaford Police Chief Marshall Craft for his initiative and driving force behind the project with the purpose to reduce violent criminal activity. Kistler introduced the two presenters who interviewed managers of the Chandler Heights and Meadowbridge properties.

Kistler told council members, it is the role of the council to utilize the results and be proactive and respond to the concerns of the people. Kistler noted the Citizens Police Academy, CERT program, and Police Accountability Board are ways the city has already initiated ways to address crime. Kistler encouraged all the members to come together and collaborate collectively with the results to provide prevention of violence in the community.

Melari Binet, program manager, was the first presenter and reviewed the results of Chandler Heights and Tyrel Barnes Geographic Information Specialist Crime Analysis, was the second presenter for Meadowbridge. Binet and Barnes told council the largest concern is drugs, gangs, and guns in the community. The residents requested better communication with the police department, more visibility, and regular engagement with residents.

The survey results also showed residents would like to see youth outreach for after school activities, mentorship programs like Big Brothers, and safe spaces. Additionally, the survey indicated lack of resources and bad influences as the main contributors to the drugs, gangs, and violence in the community.

Kistler returned to the podium for a special presentation to Binet who recently became a United States citizen. Kistler said, “We honor and recognize you, from our entire staff and this city which you live in, being a U.S. citizen is one of the greatest things that can happen.”

Kistler presented Binet with an encased American Flag, “As a newly minted US citizen, you are amazing.”

Craft presented to council the recommendations for the town of Blades appointments to the Regional Police Advisory board. Craft said Blades Chief of Police Martin Willie recommended Jerry Dorsey and Robert Francavage. Craft told council that both individuals are participating in the Seaford Citizen Police Academy, successfully passed background checks, and received full endorsements, “This is due to their qualifications, commitment, willingness to learn.” Council approved the recommendations to the board.

The council approved the bid of East Coast Contracting in the amount of $76,789.09 for the Seaford Police Department women’s locker room expansion. This is a budgeted item in the FY2026 budget.

In the final motion of the evening council approved the second reading of the changes to the Municipal Code relating to sewer. This will clearly identify the definition of Significant Industrial User (SIU) which will include language allowing certain SIU’s to be classified as Non-Significant Industrial Users. Brian Tiff, made the presentation at the previous council meeting and the changes pertain to industrial pretreatment ordinance. It will reclassify certain industrial users that are significant industrial users by default to non-significant.

The changes will give the department lead way to write permits that will allow for compliant discharges by industrial users with small flows and small impacts.