LANSING – Dozens of medical marijuana dispensaries that were forced to close at the end of 2018 can resume doing business at least until March 31, a state board ruled Wednesday.

Michigan's Medical Marijuana Licensing Board took the action, in a 4-0 vote, to address concerns about ensuring patient supply while many providers are still working to meet license requirements.

"We're going to take care of the patients," said board Chairman Rick Johnson, but by March 31, "if you're not licensed, you're probably going to be in deep trouble."

More than 60 closed dispensaries around the state might be able to reopen under the resolution, said David Harns, a spokesman for the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

Board member Donald Bailey expressed concerns about the move being unfair to those who have followed all the rules and obtained their licenses. The first licenses were issued under a new law last July.

More:Unlicensed medical marijuana facilities could be back in business

More:Michigan law: Medical marijuana cards not required for CBD oil

"I do agree there is a patient component to it, but I really think commerce is what we're talking about," Bailey said. Before they were forced to close, "some of these places were making over $1 million a month."

The department recommended the action, subject to certain requirements related to municipal approval and when the operation submitted its license application, among other considerations.

Product that hasn't met full state testing requirements can be sold, provided the patient signs an acknowledgement, according to the resolution.

“We have heard from Michiganders closely affected by the ongoing transition to licensed marijuana facilities,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a news release Tuesday. “It is important that we ensure that patients have access to their medicine while the medical marijuana industry continues to develop.”

As of the end of 2018, there were about 72 unlicensed medical marijuana dispensaries in Michigan. Currently, there about 50 licensed facilities.

Last year, LARA, under then-Gov. Rick Snyder, tried to shut down facilities operating under temporary emergency rules while they awaited a license. But the agency was thwarted by a combination of court rulings and a desire to make sure that enough dispensaries were licensed to supply the state's nearly 300,000 medical marijuana cardholders.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @paulegan4.