Marijuana Business Magazine April 2020

April 2020 | mjbizdaily.com 37 Note: Entries sourced from Marijuana Business Daily , Hemp Industry Daily and other international, national and local news outlets. These developments occurred before this magazine’s publication deadline, so some situations may have changed. Utah Dragonfly Wellness in Salt Lake City opened March 2, making it the state’s first operating medical marijuana dispensary. A second dispensary was expected to open later in the month, followed by seven more in June and the final five later this year, according to Rich Oborn, director of the state’s Center for Medical Cannabis. Utah issued 14 dispensary licenses to 10 companies, including three multistate operators. Smokable medical marijuana products and MMJ edibles are prohibited, but vaping is legal. Unprocessed flower is required to be sold in blister packs. Vermont The state House of Representatives approved a marijuana-legalization bill about a year after the Vermont Senate passed its own version. The Senate likely will call a conference committee to resolve differences between the two versions. The final bill then would go to Republican Gov. Phil Scott for his signature. Washington state Social equity applicants for marijuana businesses in Washington state will be able to apply exclusively for a number of revoked cannabis retail licenses after legislators passed a law aimed at boosting the participation of minorities in the industry. According to the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board, a total of 34 such licenses will become available to members of the community disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs. The licenses, which will cost $1,480 with an application fee of $250, will be available from Dec. 1, 2020, until July 1, 2028. A special fund is being set up to help social equity applicants. Currently, $1.1 million is being set aside annually to help with the application process, business plan development and assistance for micro loans.