How do you interpret this?

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1201. (1) The legislature recognizes that there
4 are cannabis producers and cannabis dispensaries in operation as of the
5 effective date of this section that are unregulated by the state and
6 who produce and dispense cannabis for medical use by qualifying
7 patients. The legislature intends that these producers and
8 dispensaries become licensed in accordance with the requirements of
9 this chapter and that this licensing provides them with arrest
10 protection so long as they remain in compliance with the requirements
11 of this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter. The
12 legislature further recognizes that cannabis producers and cannabis
13 dispensaries in current operation are not able to become licensed until
14 the department of agriculture and the department of health adopt rules
15 and, consequently, it is likely they will remain unlicensed until at
16 least July 1, 2012. These producers and dispensary owners and
17 operators run the risk of arrest between the effective date of this
18 section and the time they become licensed. Therefore, the legislature
19 intends to provide them with an affirmative defense if they meet the
20 requirements of this section.
21 (2) If charged with a violation of state law relating to cannabis,
22 a producer of cannabis or a dispensary and its owners and operators
23 that are engaged in the production or dispensing of cannabis to a
24 qualifying patient or who assists a qualifying patient in the medical
25 use of cannabis is deemed to have established an affirmative defense to
26 such charges by proof of compliance with this section.
27 (3) In order to assert an affirmative defense under this section,
28 a cannabis producer or cannabis dispensary must:
29 (a) In the case of producers, solely provide cannabis to cannabis
30 dispensaries for the medical use of cannabis by qualified patients;
31 (b) In the case of dispensaries, solely provide cannabis to
32 qualified patients for their medical use;
33 (c) Be registered with the secretary of state as of May 1, 2011;
34 (d) File a letter of intent with the department of agriculture or
35 the department of health, as the case may be, asserting that the
36 producer or dispenser intends to become licensed in accordance with
37 this chapter and rules adopted by the appropriate department; and
p. 35 E2SSB 5073
1 (e) File a letter of intent with the city clerk if in an
2 incorporated area or to the county clerk if in an unincorporated area
3 stating they operate as a producer or dispensary and that they comply
4 with the provisions of this chapter and will comply with subsequent
5 department rule making.
6 (4) Upon receiving a letter of intent under subsection (3) of this
7 section, the department of agriculture, the department of health, and
8 the city clerk or county clerk must send a letter of acknowledgment to
9 the producer or dispenser. The producer and dispenser must display
10 this letter of acknowledgment in a prominent place in their facility.
11 (5) This section expires July 1, 2012.

Does this mean all Producers must try and register by May 1?????
hiamps Reviewed by hiamps on . Deadline to apply for License? How do you interpret this? NEW SECTION. Sec. 1201. (1) The legislature recognizes that there 4 are cannabis producers and cannabis dispensaries in operation as of the 5 effective date of this section that are unregulated by the state and 6 who produce and dispense cannabis for medical use by qualifying 7 patients. The legislature intends that these producers and 8 dispensaries become licensed in accordance with the requirements of 9 this chapter and that this licensing provides them Rating: 5