Where you can (soon) buy legal weed in Cleveland
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The state has started doling out its first recreational marijuana licenses, revealing where Ohioans may soon be able to make their first purchases.
Why it matters: The regulatory process has been moving quickly since applications opened on June 7.
- Some in the industry are speculating sales could begin in a matter of days.
How it works: The new dual-use licenses will allow existing medicinal marijuana dispensaries to also sell to recreational customers.
- But before they can start, licensed businesses must clear one final hurdle by obtaining a separate state certificate of operation.
- Requirements include: enhancing security, proving they can maintain an adequate supply for medical patients, and updating sales systems to distinguish between medical and recreational customers.
Zoom in: As of yesterday, 80 provisional dual-use licenses had been awarded to dispensaries statewide, including five in Cuyahoga County, per a searchable database.
- There are two Cleveland locations: GTI Ohio (1222 Prospect Ave. E.) and Green Power Ohio (13429 Lakewood Heights Blvd.)
- Two Amplify locations have been approved, at 22803 Rockside Rd. in Bedford and 1782 Coventry Rd. in Cleveland Heights. Another GTI Ohio location has been approved just across the Cleveland-Lakewood border (11818 Madison Ave.).
What's next: There is no date when all recreational sales will start; individual stores will decide when to begin selling as they're approved.
What they're saying: "We've worked with municipalities all over the country, and Ohio seems to be working at lightning-fast speed, issuing provisional licenses a week after applications were submitted," a spokesperson with a multi-state operator told Marijuana Moment in June.
- "We've never seen that anywhere."
What we're watching: A lottery to determine the locations of the state's first standalone recreational marijuana dispensaries is currently underway.
- The state's deadline for issuing all licenses is Sept. 7.