Six marijuana dispensaries in Ohio were fined by the state for violating advertising regulations during the early stages of recreational marijuana sales, which launched on August 6.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) imposed fines on the stores for not adhering to strict advertising guidelines, with penalties totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“All operators are currently operating via medical rules,” explained Tom Brockman, deputy chief communications officer for the Ohio Department of Commerce and DCC. “As such, they need to seek pre-approval on any advertising, this includes the use of the term ‘recreational marijuana.’ Those particular entities that agreed to civil penalties did not seek pre-approval, and that was the basis of their violation.”
The Source, a dispensary in South Euclid, received the largest fine of $225,000 for displaying marijuana paraphernalia visible from outside and holding an unapproved ribbon-cutting ceremony. The company was placed on a payment plan of $18,750 per month to settle the fine over the next year.
The Botanist, a chain operating in five Ohio cities, was fined $12,500 for a website promotion featuring the phrase “Can you take me higher?” and an additional $150,000 for offering unapproved food and beverages at an ice cream truck.
RISE, owned by GTI Ohio, was penalized for sending a premature email announcing recreational sales before they officially launched. The DCC also took issue with the use of the term “recreational,” leading to a $5,000 fine.
Guaranteed Dispensary, located in Montgomery, was fined $12,500 for advertising itself as a “recreational and medical dispensary” without prior approval.
Other penalties included $12,500 fines for Standard Farms, a medical marijuana processor, and Bloom, a dispensary in Seven Mile, for using unapproved advertising language. Each business was given 14 days to settle their respective fines.
