Ohio’s cannabis regulator has issued over 100 provisional adult-use cannabis licenses to dispensaries across the state as it prepares for sales to finally launch.
As Business of Cannabis reported previously, Ohians voted by a 57% majority to legalize adult-use cannabis in the state in November 2023, giving regulators a deadline of September 07, 2024, to fully implement the programme and begin awarding licenses.
In mid-May, the political deadlock keeping Ohio’s adult-use cannabis rollout in limbo was finally broken, meaning the state’s 124 medical cannabis dispensaries could begin the application process.
The deadline for Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) to begin accepting licenses was June 07, and the deadline for them to start issuing certificates, September 07, is fast approaching.
As such, the DCC has now notified 182 facilities that they have qualified for a provisional license, including six testing labs, 33 cultivators, 39 processors and 104 dispensaries.
The organization said there won’t be a single set date when sales in Ohio will begin, but that it will depend on the retailer based on staffing, stock and other considerations. However, full licenses and sales are expected to begin this summer.
Speaking to local news publications, DCC spokesperson James Crawford said that the review process is ongoing and it generally being conducted on a first-come-first-served basis.
He added that a number of factors determine how quickly these certificates can be issued, including whether they have filed a complete application, if they can certify completed employee badging, and certify that surveillance and security standards have been met.
“However, current medical marijuana licensees who have already met the requirements for dual-use licensure and have their points-of-sale properly configured are anticipated to have a much quicker turnaround for issuance of a Certificate of Operation,” he continued.
