Ohio is making significant strides towards the sale of recreational marijuana, with key regulatory approvals for cultivators and processors marking a major milestone. As of Monday, four dual-use cultivators and six dual-use processors have been granted certificates of operation, indicating they have met the stringent standards set by the state's Division of Cannabis Control. These standards include notifying local officials and law enforcement, training employees, and ensuring security equipment is up to date.
One notable recipient of the dual-use license is Processor One Orijin, LLC, the only Franklin County business to receive such a certification. This approval allows these facilities to produce both medical and recreational cannabis products, a crucial step in the supply chain that precedes the certification of dispensaries. The timeline for when dispensaries will complete their certifications and begin selling products remains uncertain, as the state processes hundreds of applications from businesses seeking dual-use licenses.
The Division of Cannabis Control has issued guidance related to "opening day" activities for dual-use dispensaries, hinting that these businesses are nearing the final stages of certification. This guidance includes restrictions such as no samples of products, no consumption of cannabis on-site, and no celebratory signage or music outside the dispensary. Additionally, the division's seal must be clearly displayed on all packaging and at the entrance of the dispensary, ensuring transparency and compliance with state regulations.
Meanwhile, Ohio Republican lawmakers are introducing bills to regulate and restrict adult-use hemp products. State Rep. Sara Carruthers has introduced House Bill 642, which would require the Ohio Director of Agriculture to issue recommendations for adult-use hemp products. These recommendations would include definitions, restrictions on THC levels, sales locations, age requirements, penalties for underage sales, testing standards, and advertising restrictions. The bill aims to address concerns about the sale and use of hemp products that could be used for intoxicating purposes, particularly in light of reports of delta-8 THC poisoning in the state.
Governor Mike DeWine has also called on lawmakers to ban or regulate delta-8 THC, which is legal under the 2018 Farm Bill but has been linked to numerous poisoning cases. DeWine emphasized the need for legislative action to remove these products from shelves and protect public health. In the Senate, Senators Kirk Schuring and Steve Huffman have introduced Senate Bill 278, which would ban the sale of adult-use hemp products to individuals under 21 and require stores to keep these products behind the counter and ID customers.
Despite the legalization of recreational marijuana in Ohio following the passage of Issue 2, there is still no legal avenue to purchase marijuana in the state. The Division of Cannabis Control has yet to issue certificates of operation to dispensaries, which is a prerequisite for legal sales. More than 200 facilities have qualified for provisional licenses, but these are placeholders while they work to meet the necessary requirements for a full certificate of operation. These requirements include inspections and demonstrating the ability to differentiate between medical and recreational sales.
James Crawford, spokesperson for the Division of Cannabis Control, explained that certificates of operation will be issued roughly in the order that completed applications were received. As of now, no dispensaries have received certificates to begin selling non-medical cannabis. Out of the 216 facilities with provisional licenses, 133 are dispensaries. The deadline for approving or denying these license applications is September 7.
Once the process is complete, there will be no single day when sales begin. Instead, retailers will start sales based on their readiness, including staffing and stock considerations. The progress with cultivators and processors receiving certificates of operation is a necessary precursor to dispensaries being able to sell non-medical products, as all components of the supply chain must be certified.
