With Fresno’s first cannabis dispensaries opening this week, the neighbor to the north is in the thick of the licensing process.

In April, the application filing period for the City of Madera’s cannabis retail business program opened, with applicants being notified of their status at the end of June.

James Troyer, Madera city planner, said there were 28 applicants for the city’s cannabis business licenses. From June 30 to July 10, applicants could appeal if they received notice they will not move forward in the application process.

Troyer said all 28 applications have cleared a review and will advance to a second phase, which is application and evaluation review.

The City of Madera will award six retail licenses and two social-equity retail licenses. There are no permit limits for vertically-integrated cannabis companies — those looking to manufacture, distribute or cultivate — but no such businesses applied.

According to a January  report to the Madera City Council, cannabis taxes will result in estimated revenue for the general fund totaling  $720,000 to $1.08 million annually.

The final decision for which businesses get licenses comes in October.

“We assume that once licenses are awarded, people will need to be up and running, ” Troyer said. “They’re paying rent. They need to produce revenue in a reasonable amount of time.”