(b) The provisions of this article enacted during the regular session of the Legislature held in the year one thousand nine hundred eighty-six shall become operable at 12:01 a.m. on the first day of July of said year: Provided, That the commissioner may issue licenses prior to such date and any licensee may do any act necessary in order to prepare for and be able to engage in the retail sale of any product regulated by this article on that date and at that time.