The North Dakota Department of Health is now accepting applications for entities interested in operating medical marijuana dispensaries in the Grand Forks and Williston regions.
The application process for the Fargo and Bismarck regions are complete. Jason Wahl is the director for the Division of Medical Marijuana. He says there is a non-refundable $5,000 application fee for applicants.
"The applications will be accepted until October 10th at 3pm. Once that period closes, we will have a review panel then review complete applications and select an entity to move forward in each of those two regions."
Wahl says the North Dakota Department of Health will begin taking applications for the last four regions - Devils Lake, Dickinson, Jamestown and Minot - in January. He says the health department is pleased with the progress being made to get this product into the hands of patients.
"We certainly understand that certain individuals believe that the implementation has been slower than what they would like. We understand especially patients would to have products available as soon as possible. It has been our goal to get products available as soon as possible, keeping in mind that we are responsible to ensure that we have a well regulated program to protect the health and safety of the patients."
Wahl says the division should be ready to accept patient and designated caregiver applications in the beginning of October.