Shawn Collins, executive director of the commission, told commissioners Tuesday morning that 218 applications were started, and that the new online system was working well.

“There were no blips. There was no stress. So we are very confident that as folks continue to interact with our system, it will perform as expected,” Collins said.

The commission is rolling out licensing in a tiered format, with active and provisional registered medical dispensaries (RMDs) as well as so-called “economic empowerment” applications, from businesses located in mostly minority communities disproportionately affected by the war on drugs, allowed to apply first. Other applicants will be able to apply throughout the spring, with the entire licensing process open by June 1.

Of the 218 applications that were submitted, 129 were economic empowerment applicants, and 89 came from existing and provisional RMDs. Twenty-eight of the 218 applications were withdrawn.

Collins speculated those 28 applications were from curious individuals who wanted to have a first-hand look at the new licensing portal, and he even confessed one of the withdrawn applications was his, as he wanted to make sure the system works. Twenty-two applications are now complete and are awaiting commission action which should come in the next few weeks.

Commission Chair Steven Hoffman said he is generally pleased with the initial rollout.

“We were trying hard not to set expectations,” Hoffman said after the commission’s weekly meeting. “I thought it was a good number, but I did not have a specific number in mind. I’m just happy that it’s substantial, and the system has performed as expected.”

Applicants seem pleased as well with the portal and its unveiling.

“Our members thought that the portal was accessible, open and transparent,” said David Torrisi, executive director of Commonwealth Dispensary Association, which represents several RMDs, many of which are planning to co-locate a retail dispensary when adult-use sales are allowed.

“They felt that it was a pretty smooth process to get through,” Torrisi added, “and I think the commission has done a great job in getting this all up and running in such a short period of time.”