17 apply to be medical marijuana growers in North Dakota

North Dakota's Health Department has received 17 applications from potential manufacturers of medical marijuana.

Medical Marijuana Division Director Jason Wahl says a seven-member panel made up of health officials, citizens, law enforcement and a state lawyer will begin examining the applications on Monday. Applicants had to submit a $5,000 nonrefundable fee.

The state will register two manufacturers.

State officials have been developing the medical marijuana system since legislators crafted a law a year ago. That followed voters' approval of the drug in November 2016.

Wahl says medical marijuana should be available in North Dakota by the end of the year.