Is state prepared for legal marijuana sales?

UPDATE: 6:35 p.m.

Ben Levine is sowing a new seed with his marijuana business Del Gro in Coachella, preparing to break ground on what he said will be the largest indoor cultivation facility in California.

“It’s the first of its kind,” Levine said. “We spent the last 18 months working around the clock as hard as possible.”

While new businesses are continuing to grow in the Valley, current dispensaries are preparing for new regulations for licenses after the passing of Proposition 64.

Palm Springs Safe Access President Robert Van Roo said those regulations should roll out on time, thanks to framework already in regulations passed for medical pot shops with the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act in 2014.

“All of that work and dilligence has been going on since that signing,” Van Roo said. “And a lot of that framework will carry over into Prop 64.”

With state licenses expected to roll out next January, some state lawmakers are now saying California won’t be able to meet that deadline, before making sure all proper regulations are put into place.

But Van Roo said he’s confident the regulations will be put into place on time.

“We’re confident that the bureau that’s going to regulate cannabis is on track, and we’re going to launch in 2018,” Van Roo said.

While Levine said he’s open to the state extending their deadline, if needed.

“I believe that the state can get things done by January 1st,” Levine said. “If they need to extend, I think it’s worth extending so that we can get it right.”

Levine’s business in Coachella is breaking ground Thursday morning at 11 a.m..

State leaders are expected to discuss marijuana regulations sometime this month.

Van Roo said it’s also against the law to buy or sell in a medical marijuana shop, if you’re not a licensed patient.

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ORIGINAL STORY: 6:10 p.m.

Marijuana and money; investors are hoping to cash-in on California’s newest cash crop. And, they’re hoping state lawmakers will do their job so there are no delays.

KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2’s Zak Dahlheimer looked into Proposition 64, which allows adults ages 21 and older in the state of California to possess the legal amount listed in the law — the only thing — businesses cannot sell it yet until recreational licenses have been made available.

Learn more about what needs to be done for state leaders to draw up regulations, including tax policies, lab testing, growing, distribution and delivery in Dahlheimer’s report Wednesday night on KESQ and CBS Local 2.