North Dakota’s MMJ program won’t be ready for at least a year

North Dakota regulators are proposing rules that would allow for the sale of medical cannabis in “11 to 13 months,” Valley News Live reported.

Under the proposed rules – filed by the state health department with the Legislative Council – prospective dispensaries, manufacturers and testing labs won’t be able to apply for licenses until April at the earliest, according to the Fargo-based news outlet.

The latest timetable for the launch of MMJ sales conflicts with one the health department laid out in July.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The proposed rules include requirements for security, lab testing and transportation.
• The health department plans to file all required information no later than Feb. 1 and to present the rules to the legislature’s Administrative Rules Committee. The agency will take public comment through Dec. 26.
• Jason Wahl was appointed interim director of North Dakota’s medical marijuana division, according to the Bismarck Tribune. He replaces retiring Kenan Bullinger, effective Nov. 1.
• North Dakota voters approved medical marijuana in November 2016, and the governor signed off on preliminary regulations in April.