Sales could begin in late 2022. First, the Social Equity Council will set guidelines for adhering to the social equity provisions. The state will also need to hire new staff, issue new regulations, and oversee an application and licensing process for new cannabis businesses. Further, those businesses need time to secure funding, physical locations, local zoning approval and all the other elements needed to start a new business in a highly regulated market.
The supply chain must be entirely licensed before sales can begin, including stores, testing labs, and growers, and there must be enough growing capacity to supply the retail market. The Governor has directed each state agency to work to implement the law quickly and responsibly.