AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS -- THE EDWARD O. HAWKINS AND THOMAS C. SLATER MEDICAL MARIJUANA ACT

HB 8426 amends the state's medical marijuana law to establish a structured process for licensing compassion centers, which are facilities authorized to cultivate and distribute medical cannabis. The bill mandates that the state health department initially issue a single license, followed by additional licenses over time until a maximum of nine centers are operational. It outlines specific requirements for applications, including a $10,000 fee, security measures, and public input, while also detailing a schedule for accepting new applications and issuing licenses. Additionally, the legislation allows existing cultivators to apply for compassion center licenses, which would merge with their current cultivation permits.