[§329D-5]  Medical cannabis dispensaries; selection.  (a)  By January 4, 2016, the department shall provide for a selection process and criteria based on merit for verified applicants for medical cannabis dispensary licenses; provided that the selection process, at minimum, includes the criteria of section 329D-7(3).

     (b)  This selection process shall be utilized by the department to grant medical cannabis dispensary licenses.  Licensees selected will be announced by April 15, 2016.  A dispensary licensed pursuant to this chapter may begin dispensing not sooner than July 15, 2016, with the approval of the department. [L 2015, c 241, pt of §2; am L 2017, c 170, §2]