Utah regulators eliminated a proposed residency requirement for the 10 medical marijuana cultivation licenses the state is set to award in late July, which could result in possible out-of-state ownership.
The announcement came in a bulletin dated July 15, although the proposed rule change itself was filed June 30, according to documents.
It’s unclear how the change could impact the initial licensing round.
State regulators recently announced a delay in awarding grower licenses.
Jack Wilbur, spokesman for the state agricultural department, told the Tribune that out of the 81 applicants, eight had reported out-of-state addresses.
But he noted that some of the other 73 could include out-of-state interests with a Utah address or local partner.
Wilbur said applicants displaying “positive connections to a local community” will receive credit, but it is unclear how much.
Local farmers have reported they hoped cannabis grower licenses would go to in-state businesses.
Medical cannabis sales in Utah are expected to start sometime next year.
