PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Mainers will be able to legally buy marijuana at retail shops on Oct. 9, the state announced Friday, nearly four years after residents voted to legalize marijuana for recreational use.

The state Office of Marijuana Policy will issue its first recreational marijuana business licenses on Sept. 8. That will give stores time to harvest, test and package marijuana products for sale a month later.

“Today’s announcement is a major milestone in honoring the will of Maine voters and a significant step toward launching a new industry in the state,” OMP Director Erik Gundersen said in a statement.