The Ohio Department of Commerce has awarded contracts to two firms as the state rolls out its medical cannabis program – one to a seed-to-sale software and tracking system company, and another to handle “the design, development, and implementation” of cannabis cultivation, processing, and laboratory licenses, Columbus CEO reports. The two contracts total $1.75 million.
Metrc, based in Lakeland, Florida, was awarded the nearly $1.2 million seed-to-sale contract, beating out four other companies vying for the contract. The $573,600 licensing contract was awarded to Persistent Systems Inc, which has an office in Dublin, Ohio. Three other companies submitted bids for the contract.
A third contract for an “open video management system,” which will see more than 1,000 cameras located in cannabis growing, processing, and distribution facilities, is expected soon. The system will allow the camera feeds to be monitored from a single location.
In all, the Office of Budget and Management has authorized a $9.8 million operating budget for the medical cannabis program from loans and the bi-annual state budget. Officials expect $2.3 million in income from the program through employee licenses and application fees. The program does not allow smokeable products, opting instead for edibles, vapor-products, tinctures, topicals, and patches.