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Will the public get input into crucial rulemaking and a transparent view of how dispensary licenses are awarded?

Competition will be fierce for Hawaii’s eight licenses to grow and sell medical cannabis. Many other types of businesses are looking for a piece of the action as well.

Issuing a press release instead of holding a bill-signing ceremony, the governor quietly approves the establishment of a dispensary system.

The measure would allow 16 dispensaries to open statewide next summer. Its passage comes 15 years after medical marijuana was legalized in the state, but with no legal means of buying it.

There could be as many as 16 retail dispensaries in Hawaii by next summer, including six on Oahu, if the measure becomes law.

UPDATE: After negotiators failed to strike a deal Friday night, legislative leaders removed Senate Committee Chairman Josh Green and pushed the deadline to Monday.

UPDATED: A panel will reconvene Monday to consider the bill after Senate leadership kicked Sen. Josh Green off the conference committee.

UPDATE: Rep. Della Au Belatti and Sen. Josh Green couldn’t reach agreement, but deadline has been extended.

The gap is wide between House and Senate versions of a bill to give patients a legal way to buy marijuana, and only two days left to compromise.

People have been growing and using the plant for thousands of years, for example.