Michigan, Louisiana Make Moves on Cannabis Licenses

9 medical marijuana business moved toward licensure in Michigan

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan regulators have allowed the first marijuana businesses to start the process toward being licensed to operate in the newly regulated and taxed industry.

The Medical Marihuana Licensing Board took the first step Thursday toward qualifying the applications of nine businesses and turned down two. The applicants need physical locations and community approval to proceed.

Initial licenses to grow, process, sell, transport or test marijuana will be issued by June 15. Some have expressed concerns the process isn’t moving quickly enough.

The state began accepting applications in December and 470 individuals or companies have applied.

A 2016 law aimed to address confusion surrounding the legality of dispensary shops that opened after voters in 2008 authorized marijuana for medical use. The new law includes a 3 percent tax on provisioning centers.

Louisiana licenses more medical marijuana pharmacies

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana’s pharmacy board has awarded four more licenses to dispense medical marijuana to eligible patients.

The board granted permits Wednesday for West Monroe, Shreveport, Alexandria and Madisonville on the second day of licensing hearings. Five licenses were awarded a day earlier.

The News-Star reports those awarded medical marijuana pharmacy licenses have 310 days from the date of issue to open.

The permits have gone to Delta Medmar in West Monroe; Hope Pharmacy in Shreveport; The Medicine Cabinet Pharmacy in Alexandria; Willow Pharmacy of Madisonville; Capitol Wellness Solutions in Baton Rouge; Green Leaf Dispensary in Houma; The Apothecary Shoppe in Lafayette; Medicis in Lake Charles; and H&W Drug Store in New Orleans.

Louisiana’s medical marijuana program is getting organized, with available product expected by summer. Lawmakers capped dispensing pharmacies at 10.