When Will Ohio Launch Recreational Cannabis Sales?

Ohio legalized recreational marijuana through a November voter referendum last year. It was anticipated that legal sales would launch at some point in the month of June. The application period for existing cultivators, retailers, manufacturers and testing labs had to open by June 7. Although, Ohio authorities initially said that applications may be granted earlier and recreational sales could happen by mid-June. 

For now, Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control is still reviewing applications for dual-use licensure, and it’s taking additional time to grant certificates of operations. In the meantime, consumers have been left emptyhanded as legal weed remains out of reach. 

The Division of Cannabis Control, the main regulatory body for cannabis in Ohio, has issued provisional licenses to 110 dispensaries so they can sell cannabis for both medical and recreational use, but they still cannot serve customers because they haven’t received the certificate for operations, according to Ohio Capital Journal. 

Reportedly, Northeast Ohio has 36 licensees, Southwest Ohio has 29, while Central Ohio has 18. Most licenses or 12 are given in Franklin County, Cuyahoga has 11 and Hamilton nine. 

Cannabis Business Licenses Must be Issued by September

In line with the law, converted marijuana licenses for Ohio businesses must be issued by Sept. 7 at the latest. The state regulatory body must approve or deny a license applicant by the designated date. 

Over hundred retailers are currently in the process of receiving dual licensing that will permit them to sell cannabis to both medicinal and recreational users. They cannot serve customers because they don’t have the certificate for operations. 

The state has a list of requirements that legal operators are obliged to implement, including point-of-sale integration, keeping a visitors log, managing inventory aside, maintaining a surveillance system, having curbside and drive-through pickup options, and more. All of these requirements are subject to potential inspections. 

Ohioans passed Issue 2 with 57.2% support in the November 2023 voting initiative. The measure allowed adults 21 years and above to smoke, vape and ingest cannabis. Homegrowing of up to six plants with up to 12 per household was also foreseen with the measure. 

However, the Ohio Senate adopted various alterations to the law, including a limit on homegrowing. Lawmakers also passed changes to ban smoking in public, reduce THC levels in cannabis products, and ban most vape products, among other restrictions. 

Also read on Soft Secrets: 

- Ohio Voters Approve Legal Marijuana

- What Led to Minnesota's THC Beverage Boom?

- Industry Panic: Thailand Already Reverses Weed Legalization