Woody Harrelson has failed in his bid to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Hawaii.

The Oscar-nominated actor was among nearly 60 Hawaii residents who applied in January to open the state’s first medical marijuana dispensaries.

A four-member panel reviewed nearly 66 applications to open dispensaries based on criteria including the companies’ proof of financial stability, ability to comply with security requirements and being able to meet patient needs.

The judging panel announcing the selection of businesses to open Hawaii'’s first medical marijuana dispensaries
(Marina Riker/AP/PA)

In the end, eight businesses were selected by the state – but the panel would not discuss why it selected and rejected particular dispensaries. However, Hawaii’s health department said it expects to release the scores of each applicant in the next two weeks.

Dispensary applicants are required to pay a $75,000 (£51,330) licensing fee to Hawaii’s Department of Health within seven days of receiving written notice of their selection.

Applicants were required to have $1 million (£684,406) in cash, plus $100,000 (£68,440) for each dispensary location. The Hawaii Department of Health, which awarded the licences, must inspect facilities before they can open.

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The law allows medical marijuana businesses to have two production centres and two retail dispensaries, for a total of 16 dispensaries state-wide.

Six are allowed on Oahu, four on Hawaii Island, four on Maui and two on Kauai.

Hawaii became the first state to legalise medical marijuana through the legislative process 16 years ago. Under a law passed in 2015, the state could grant eight licences.