GannettHaley BeMiller, Cincinnati EnquirerJune 21, 2024 at 4:10 PMCresco Labs employees package marijuana in a room at the company’s Yellow Springs facility on May 15.
Some of Ohio’s medical cannabis dispensaries are one step closer to selling recreational marijuana.
The Division of Cannabis Control awarded dozens of provisional licenses this week to existing medical marijuana dispensaries in Columbus, Cincinnati and Akron, among other cities, according to the state’s online database. Another 30 licenses went to growers, testing labs or product manufacturers.
The division began accepting applications earlier this month from medical marijuana businesses that want to participate in the adult-use market. Ohioans voted last year to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, but sales could not begin until regulators crafted rules for the program.
Growers and certain dispensary owners can also apply for additional stores, known as 10(B) licenses.
“This is a big step forward for Ohio − I’m so excited,” said Brian Wingfield, whose three dispensaries received provisional licenses. “Our team is trained and ready to help patients and customers alike.”
But these dispensaries can’t open their doors to recreational customers yet. Businesses must check several more boxes to obtain a certificate of operation, including:
Passing a test to show the dispensary can properly