Connecticut's budding marijuana industry is taking a big step forward. The state provisionally awarded the first commercial cannabis licenses Tuesday.

The Connecticut Social Equity Council selected 16 applicants to start large-scale growing operations.

Winners haven't been publicly identified yet, but one is from Stamford and two are from Bridgeport.

The farms must be located in areas "disproportionately impacted" by the war on drugs.

"Our actions today will be transformative for social equity applicants, but more importantly will bring change to communities most harmed by the war on drugs,” said Andrea Comer, Connecticut Social Equity Council chair.

The winners still have to pass a background check and pay a $3 million fee before they're officially licensed.