The District Department of Health has notified four businesses on Tuesday, letting them know that they have cleared the last major hurdle and are now eligible to open medical marijuana dispensaries in Washington, D.C. Their next step is to acquire permits and begin the normal process of opening businesses within the District of Columbia.

The prospective businesses must now apply for business licenses, building permits, and certificates of occupancy the same way any other business would be required to do in the District.

Councilmember David Catania was quoted as saying the approval of these dispensaries is "another milestone on the path to making medical marijuana available."