Alaska regulators were applauded Thursday as they approved the first licenses for legal marijuana growing and testing facilities — another milestone for the fledgling industry.

Priority was being given to growing and testing operations to ensure that retail stores will have legal product to sell. The first retail licenses are expected to be issued later this year.

Thirty applications were on the agenda Thursday at a meeting of the Marijuana Control Board in Anchorage. Two were for testing facilities. The rest were for grow operations.

The first application approved came from CannTest LLC of Anchorage, a marijuana testing facility. The action was greeted by applause and cheers.

“That’s history right there, folks,” board member Brandon Emmett said.

Businesses that were granted licenses still need to clear national background checks and, in some cases, complete local requirements.

Mark Malagodi, CEO of CannTest LLC, said it felt good. “It’s just the first hurdle,” he said. “It’s a big one and it’s really exciting.” [Read more at ABC News.com]