SALEM, Ore. — Retail sales of recreational marijuana would begin as soon as Oct. 1 in Oregon, far sooner than had been expected, under a bill approved Thursday by a state legislative committee.

The measure would allow early sales through existing medical marijuana dispensaries.

Under a law approved last year by voters, marijuana use and possession becomes legal July 1. But regulators say it may be almost a year before they start issuing retail licenses. Until then, users would have to grow their own, get it from a friend or buy it on the black market.

Advocates say allowing early sales will ensure a legal avenue to distribute a large amount of marijuana that’s expected from the fall harvest. Some lawmakers wanted to start sales even sooner than Oct. 1. [Read more at the The Cannabist at The Denver Post]