Los Angeles opens next marijuana licensing round for 100 retail permits

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(This story has been updated to reflect that more than 1,600 applicants have been deemed eligible for MJ retail permits.)

Los Angeles, the largest marijuana market in the world, opened a two-week window on Tuesday for qualified social equity applicants interested in getting a retail cannabis permit.

The city’s Department of Cannabis Regulation (DCR) began accepting license applications at 10 a.m. PT Tuesday and will continue until 10 a.m. Sept. 17.

The DCR verified over 1,600 qualified applicants for the latest licensing round during a prevetting process that took more than two months and finished in late July, according to the agency’s website.

Applicants that qualify for the city’s social equity program will get priority in having their applications processed.

But only 100 retail licenses will be awarded during the coming application period, and they’ll be available on a first-come, first-served basis, according to the DCR website.

The newest licensing round comes after two earlier rounds.

The first round was for longstanding retailers in the city that could prove they’ve been in operation since 2007.

The second was for companies in the existing supply chain such as growers and edibles makers.

Yet another upcoming licensing round will be open to the general public, but the DCR has yet to announce when that will take place.

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