With two months until retail pot sales are expected to begin, the Cannabis Control Commission chairman said to expect a “sparse” marijuana market this summer, even as the CCC opened the license application process to more applicants.
The CCC on Tuesday approved another 16 economic empowerment applicants and two registered marijuana dispensary (RMD) companies to have their license applications reviewed on an expedited basis. But even as the CCC announced that 25 prospective marijuana businesses have submitted a license application, Chairman Steven Hoffman said roadblocks and issues around ensuring a supply of marijuana could limit the initial size of the industry.
“I think it’s going to be sparse, let’s just be honest,” Hoffman said when asked what he expects to see July 1. “There are going to be some number of people that are up and running that have all the municipal approvals necessary and have the ability to have supply. It’s not going to be a large number … I really think it’s going to play out over six to twelve months past July first.”
Before the CCC will approve a license, the applicant must demonstrate that they have held a community meeting and executed a host community agreement with the city or town. Many towns across the state have imposed moratoria or bans on retail marijuana shops, further complicating things.
And before any business can open, it needs to secure a supply of marijuana to sell. Right now, only RMDs are allowed to grow marijuana commercially and new licenses for cultivation will not be approved by the CCC until at least June 1.