Over 100 Ohio Dispensaries Issued Provisional Licenses For Recreational Cannabis Sales

COLUMBUS, OH – Dispensaries in Ohio are moving closer to opening for business for recreational marijuana sales, according to a report in Cannabis Business Executive.

110 dispensaries have now received provisional licenses from the state’s Division of Cannabis Control that would enable them to sell both recreational and medical marijuana once they are given final approval.

Ohio voters approved a measure legalizing marijuana that went into effect last December. Medical dispensaries began applying for dual licenses to sell cannabis products to adult, non-medical customers.  When they receive a certificate of operation, they will be permitted to sell recreational products.

Under the legalization measure, adults 21 and over are permitted to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow up to six plants per individual or 12 plants per household at home. The state was given nine months to create a framework where consumers could purchase marijuana legally, subject to a 10% tax.

The application process began last month for cultivators, retailers, processors and testing laboratories who are seeking dual-use licenses for recreational and medical marijuana sales.  License applications must be approved or denied by Sept. 7.

A total of 188 provisional dual-use licenses had been approved by the state as of July 5.  Along with the 110 dispensaries, these included 6 testing laboratories, 22 Level I cultivators, 11 Level II cultivators, and 39 processors.

“It’s important to keep in mind that a dual-use provisional license does not permit the holder to sell nonmedical cannabis; it is issued as a placeholder while the provisional licensee works to meet the necessary requirements to obtain a certificate of operation and the division processes all required documents,” said Jamie Crawford, public information officer with the Ohio Department of Commerce.

He added that testing labs, cultivators and processors will be given higher priority in receiving certificates of operation so that adult-use sales can begin with an efficient supply chain.

“Following successful completion of that process, certificates of operation will be issued based on roughly the order in which completed applications were received,” he said. “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.”

Join us in the midst of the cannabis revolution and explore Cannabutter Digest, your ultimate destination for staying informed about the latest industry trends. Stay connected and regularly visit the premier source for cannabis news, products, recipes, and so much more!