The proposed bill would update current statutes by introducing a rural opportunity initiative that mandates the Department of Health Services (DHS) to issue marijuana establishment licenses specifically for rural communities, capping the total number of such licenses at 18. This initiative requires that each licensed entity also obtain a nonprofit medical marijuana dispensary registration certificate, allowing them to relocate their retail site to another unserved rural community. Current law, which limits the issuance of marijuana establishment licenses based on the number of registered pharmacies and existing dispensaries in a county, will remain unchanged except for these new provisions.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the requirements for applicants under the rural opportunity initiative, including obtaining landowner consent and adhering to local zoning laws. It specifies that licensed entities can operate only one retail location and one off-site cultivation location, and it establishes conditions for these operations. The bill also defines "unserved rural community" and outlines the process for counties to opt out of the initiative. Importantly, these new provisions will only take effect with a three-fourths majority vote from the legislature, aiming to enhance access to marijuana services in rural areas while ensuring regulatory compliance.

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