§ 3311. Authority to issue initial licenses, amended licenses, and to renew licenses. 1. Subject to the provisions of this article the commissioner is authorized to issue licenses authorizing the manufacture or distribution of controlled substances.

2. An application for a license, amendment of a license, or renewal of a license which, if granted, would authorize the manufacture or distribution of a controlled substance which the applicant is not then authorized to manufacture or distribute shall, with respect to any such additional authorization, be treated as an application for an initial license.

3. An application for a license which, if granted, would authorize a licensee to continue to manufacture or distribute a controlled substance shall, with respect to such continued manufacture or distribution only, be treated as an application for renewal of a license.

4. A late-filed application for the renewal of a license may, in the discretion of the commissioner, be treated as an application for an initial license.