OHIO, USA — We have new numbers from the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control which is currently reviewing and processing the applications for dual-use permits for medical and recreational marijuana sales.
A spokesperson with the division said they received 219 applications to convert active medical marijuana license holders to dual-use cannabis licensees. The division also received 134 10(B) dispensary applications, which would authorize additional dispensary licenses. There are currently 126 medical dispensaries operating in the Ohio.
Once these facilities get a dual-use provisional license, this will serve as a placeholder. Requirements need to be met before these facilities get a certificate of operation.
Nilendu Singh is the general manager at Nar Reserve in Columbus. The dispensary has applied for its dual-use permit and has been increasing its inventory to prepare for new clients.
"It's very important and it's not just for them it's also for the medical patients that have been part of the program for so long. There needs to be an uninterrupted supply for them and so while that does fall on processors, cultivators it also falls on dispensaries to make sure we have an adequate supply," Singh said. "You know, you never want someone to come in and be like hey, we love coming to you guys and I want to get something and it's like well, we don't have anything."
The division has notified eight facilities that are either testing labs, cultivators or processors that they have qualified for a provisional license.
Following the successful completion of this process, certificates of operation will be issued. This will be done in the same order in which completed applications were received.
Given the foundation already laid through the medical marijuana control program, a spokesperson with the division said current medical permit holders who have already undergone many of the comprehensive checks are anticipated to have a much quicker turnaround to issue licenses this summer.
"It is amazing," Singh said. "I mean it kind of feels like a dream to an extent. The time is flying now and it feels a lot more real cause it's getting so close and we're taking the steps to get the dual-use license and be recreational adult use."
Singh said they expect to start selling adult-use marijuana immediately following their approval by the state.