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The Latest: Nevada still plans to issue pot licenses July 1

FILE- In this March 24, 2017 file photo, Nevada state Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, smells a sample of marijuana as Christopher Price, a ‘’budtender’’ at the Blum medical marijuana dispensary, describes the operation during a brief tour a the store in Reno, Nev. Nevada voters legalized recreational marijuana in November, and officials are trying to put rules in place to start selling it on July 1, 2017. (Scott Sonner, File/Associated Press)
By Associated Press
June 19
CARSON CITY, Nev. — The Latest on the legal battle of the launch of Nevada’s recreational pot sales (all times local):

12:35 p.m.

The deputy director of Nevada’s Department of Taxation says state regulators still intend to have the necessary licenses in place July 1 to start selling marijuana for recreational use despite an ongoing lawsuit over the regulations.

Anna Thornley testified in Carson City District Court on Monday that the state has planned since February to have the “early start” program up and running by July to start bringing in tax revenue before a permanent system must be adopted on Jan. 1, 2018.

Thornley says none of the 90 applications received for distribution licenses have been approved so far. Five of those are from liquor wholesalers and the other 85 are from existing medical marijuana dispensaries.

Thornley says some of the applications are incomplete and have been returned to the applicants to provide additional information. But she told Judge James Wilson, “It’s the department’s intention to issue licenses by July 1.”