Hawaii was scheduled to release the names of the first approved medical marijuana dispensary owners on April 15th, but the health department has delayed the release following the realized need to complete criminal record reviews.
Those waiting to hear about the status of their applications are discontent as they claim the delay is detrimental to their businesses and patients waiting for dispensaries to open.
The last minute delay announcement came on Friday. The announcement included that all applicants had to submit fingerprints for background checks, The Cannabist reports. Health Department officials say that the review process is underway.
Hawaii received 59 dispensary applications from Hawaii residents, including Henk Rogers and Woody Harrelson. Only 8 licenses will be awarded. Those licenses give each owner the right to open 2 dispensaries and 2 production facilities.
The health department said in a April 13th press release that they “will be pushing hard to complete our review and announce the licensees by Friday, April 29.”