These Ohio dispensaries could be first to sell recreational marijuana – but not yet

Haley BeMiller, Columbus Dispatch
Updated ·2 min read

Some of Ohio's medical cannabis dispensaries are one step closer to selling recreational marijuana.

The Division of Cannabis Control awarded dozens of provisional licenses this week to existing medical marijuana dispensaries in Columbus, Cincinnati and Akron, among other cities, according to the state's online database. Another 30 licenses went to growers, testing labs or product manufacturers.

Cresco Labs employees package marijuana in a room at the company's Yellow Springs facility on May 15.
Cresco Labs employees package marijuana in a room at the company's Yellow Springs facility on May 15.

The division began accepting applications earlier this month from medical marijuana businesses that want to participate in the adult-use market. Ohioans voted last year to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, but sales could not begin until regulators crafted rules for the program.

Growers and certain dispensary owners can also apply for additional stores, known as 10(B) licenses.

"This is a big step forward for Ohio − I'm so excited," said Brian Wingfield, whose three dispensaries received provisional licenses. "Our team is trained and ready to help patients and customers alike."

But these dispensaries can't open their doors to recreational customers yet. Businesses must check several more boxes to obtain a certificate of operation, including:

  • Passing a test to show the dispensary can properly distinguish and sell medical and adult-use products.

  • Notifying local officials and law enforcement about the business.

  • Training employees.

  • Ensuring security equipment is up to date and meets the state's requirements.

"There will be no one singular day when sales begin," said Jamie Crawford, spokesman for the Division of Cannabis Control. "We will start issuing licenses, and it will be up to the retailer based on staffing, stock and other considerations as to which day they will begin sales."

Which Ohio marijuana dispensaries got provisional licenses?

As of midday Friday, the following medical dispensaries had received dual-use provisional licenses:

  • The Forest, Cincinnati.

  • Beyond Hello, Cincinnati.

  • Sunnyside, Cincinnati.

  • The Landing, Cincinnati.

  • Verdant Creations, Columbus.

  • Harvest of Ohio, Columbus.

  • Main Street Medical Cannabis, Columbus.

  • Herbal Wellness Center, Columbus.

  • Trulieve, Westerville.

  • Ayr, Dayton.

  • The Botanist, Akron.

  • Sunnyside, Chillicothe.

  • Sunnyside, Newark.

  • Ohio Cannabis Company, Canton.

  • Ohio Cannabis Company, Piqua.

  • Ohio Cannabis Company, Harpster.

  • The Forest, Sandusky.

  • A Cut Above, Hubbard.

  • Sunnyside, Wintersville.

  • Debbie's, Athens.

  • Debbie's, Jeffersonville.

  • Verilife, Wapakoneta.

  • Harvest of Ohio, Beavercreek.

  • Leaf Relief, Youngstown.

  • Ascend, Carroll.

  • Ascend, Coshocton.

  • Nirvana, Elyria.

  • Italian Herbs, Ashtabula.

Three dispensaries that hadn't yet opened for medical also received a provisional dual-use license:

  • N2 Ohio LLC, Cincinnati.

  • Healing Through Cannabis LLC, Springfield.

  • Good Day Dispensary LLC, Eastlake.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio marijuana sales could happen soon at these dispensaries