Hawaii selects businesses for medical pot but excludes actor

Hawaii Sen. Rosalyn Baker, from left, and Rep. Della Au Belatti join Hawaii Department of Health Director Virginia Pressler to announce the selection of businesses to open Hawaii’s first medical marijuana dispensaries at the Hawaii Department of Health offices on Friday, April 29, 2016 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marina Riker) Hawaii Sen. Rosalyn Baker, from left, and Rep. Della Au Belatti join Hawaii Department of Health Director Virginia Pressler to announce the selection of businesses to open Hawaii’s first medical marijuana dispensaries at the Hawaii Department of Health offices on Friday, April 29, 2016 in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marina Riker)

By Associated Press April 29, 2016 3 min read

HONOLULU (AP) – Hawaii selected eight businesses Friday to open medical marijuana dispensaries – but not one owned by Woody Harrelson.

The actor was among nearly 60 Hawaii residents who applied in January to open the state’s first medical marijuana dispensaries. Dispensaries can open as soon as July 15.

Ina Treciokas, a spokesperson for Harrelson, said there was no comment on the selection announcement.

A four-member panel reviewed nearly 66 applications to open dispensaries based on criteria including companies’ proof of financial stability, ability to comply with security requirements and being able to meet patient needs.

The panel wouldn’t discuss Friday why it selected and rejected particular dispensaries, but the health department said it expects to release the scores of each applicant in the next two weeks.