The first legal commercial sales of medical marijuana in Hawaii advanced one step closer to reality recently with the initial harvest of plants by one of the companies approved for growing and selling pot.

Aloha Green Holdings Inc. said it recently harvested its first crop.

Honolulu-based Aloha Green and Maui Grown Therapies on the Valley Isle received the first approvals from the state Department of Health to start growing cannabis in February under licenses that allow them to raise 6,000 plants under a state law passed in 2015.

When sales can begin is still subject to state-mandated quality testing and sales tracking systems being put in place. Helen Cho, director of integrated strategy for Aloha Green, said there is no estimated date for the business to open to registered customers.

“We could be ready tomorrow, but it wouldn’t matter because it’s dependent on the Department of Health,” Cho said.

Aloha Green and Maui Grown are two of eight licensees approved to grow and sell medical marijuana in Hawaii.

Hawaii legalized medical cannabis in 2000, but patients had no legal way to obtain the drug. There are more than 15,000 patients registered with the state.