This bill proposes several updates to current statutes regarding the issuance of nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary registration certificates and the establishment of a rural opportunity initiative. Under the new provisions, the Department will issue registration certificates to entities holding a marijuana establishment license, allowing them to relocate their retail sites to unserved rural communities. This is a significant addition to the existing law, which primarily focuses on the geographic area of dispensaries without specific provisions for rural communities. The bill also introduces a new section, 36-2857.01, which outlines the criteria and processes for the rural opportunity initiative, including the requirement for landowner consent and compliance with local zoning restrictions.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing language to clarify the conditions under which dispensaries must open and operate, including a stipulation that they are not required to operate more than twenty-four hours each week. It also establishes a definition for "unserved rural community" and sets forth the timeline for the Department to adopt rules and accept applications related to the rural initiative. Overall, these changes aim to enhance access to medical marijuana in underserved areas while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 13-2910
Senate Engrossed Version: 44-1642
House Engrossed Version: 36-2803.01, 36-2854, 36-2857.01, 32-1929, 36-2854.01, 4-241, 36-2816, 36-2856, 41-192