The state is preparing for a lot of applications to grow and sell medical marijuana starting on December 15. That's the date when licenses will start being accepted and it's also when any dispensaries that are currently open, will have to shut down.
Many are concerned that the state will need time to go through all of those applications. And owners of the stores that have to close shop are concerned that being closed for a long time could hurt their bottom line.
Officials told FOX 47 News that more than a thousand people have signed up for the state's training sessions on how to get a license and that number is expected to go up because the first session isn't until next month.
Several state lawmakers are now thinking shops should be able to stay open during licensing. They introduced a set of bills last month that still need to be voted on. Patients are questioning what this means for them.
Jason Durham, a patient said, "Stock up on three months to wait until this is over with, three months worth of medicine will you past your legal limit that you are allowed to possess. Without this medicine I have a double spine infusion I would be locked in bed. I wouldn't be able to get out bed to do my daily duties."
Getting a license could cost these dispensaries anywhere from $4 - $8,000, raising another concern that the smaller shops may have to close altogether.
