Where you can (soon) buy legal weed in Columbus
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
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. None statewide had as of yesterday, a state Division of Cannabis Control spokesperson told Axios.
- 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, 31 provisional dual-use licenses had been awarded to dispensaries statewide, including five in Columbus, per a searchable database.
- Those locations: Verdant (1243 N. Cassady Ave.), Harvest (2950 N. High St.), Herbal Wellness Center (2950 E. Main St.), Trulieve (8295 Sancus Blvd.) and Main Street Medical Cannabis (3111 E. Main St.).
- One is also approved in Newark (Verdant, at 1546 W. Church St.) and another in Fairfield County (Ascend, at 3560 Dolson Ct. in Carroll).
What's next: There is no singular date when all recreational sales will start, as 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 on Friday.
- "We've never seen that anywhere."
Between the lines: Lawmakers had discussed making changes to the marijuana legalization law voters approved in November, including speeding up licensing timelines, but that effort didn't get anywhere.
- A summer recess begins today.
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.