The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has issued 188 provisional dual-use licenses for medical marijuana companies seeking to serve the recreational marijuana market.
On June 7, the DCC opened the application process for existing medical marijuana companies that wish to service the newly legal recreational marijuana market. As of today, the DCC has issued 188 provisional licenses, including 110 to dispensaries, 39 to processors, 22 to level 1 cultivators, 11 to level II cultivators, and six to testing labs. Finalized licenses are expected to be issued any day now, allowing dispensaries to begin selling to anyone 21 and older, regardless of whether they are a medical marijuana patient.
Recreational marijuana possession and cultivation became legal in December after voters approved Issue 2 in November. Under this new law, individuals 21 and older can legally possess up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates, such as wax, oil, and hash. They are also allowed to cultivate up to six marijuana plants at a private residence for personal use.
Issue 2 assigns the Division of Cannabis Control the responsibility of licensing and regulating the new marijuana industry. The law authorizes the agency to issue up to 350 marijuana business licenses, with a minimum of 50 required. Marijuana will be taxed at 10%, though a bill approved by the Senate yesterday would raise this to 15%.
Since standalone recreational marijuana stores aren’t expected to open until sometime in 2025, state regulators have approved regulations allowing current medical marijuana businesses to service the recreational market while the state works through the process of licensing standalone outlets.
