North Dakota’s medical cannabis rules may be only weeks away

North Dakota’s medical marijuana regulations are only weeks from being finalized, according to a state regulator.

MMJ program director Kenan Bullinger said during an advisory meeting he expects the MMJ regulations to be finalized “within the next week or so,” the Bismarck Tribune reported. However, he cautioned, “We’re going to take the time necessary to get them right.”

Once the rules are set, they’ll have to be approved by the governor. Following that is an eight-week application period.

North Dakota’s medical cannabis program allows for two cultivation and eight dispensaries, but regulators can issue more licenses based on the number of patients.

Right now, cultivators are capped at 1,000 plants, but that number could go up or additional cultivation licenses could be added.

According to the newspaper, Bullinger said the cultivators will likely be selected first, followed by the dispensary license winners.

The state will also need to select a lab for testing before the program gets off the ground.