Ohio Officials Award 10 Adult-Use Cannabis Licenses; Release Dispensary Rules

Ohio officials have awarded the first adult-use cannabis industry licenses in the state to four cultivators and six processing facilities, WCMH reports. Regulators also released industry guidelines for dispensaries, despite not issuing any dispensary permits on the first licensing batch.

The licenses were awarded to:

• Pure Ohio Wellness, LLC – Cultivation and processing in Springfield
• GTI Ohio, LLC – Cultivation and processing in Toledo
• AT-CPC of Ohio, LLC – Cultivation and processing in Akron
• Farkas Farms, LLC – Cultivation in Grafton
• One Orijin, LLC – Processing in Columbus
• Riviera Creek Holdings II, LLC – Processing in Youngstown
• FN Group Holdings, LLC – Processing in Ravenna Township

Most of the current medical cannabis dispensaries in the state have applied for a dual-use certificate, which would allow them to sell cannabis to both patients and non-patients. The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) has awarded many of those companies provisional licenses that allow them to prepare for adult-use sales.

Under DCC rules released Monday, outlined by the Columbus Dispatch, dispensaries will not be allowed to host ribbon cuttings when they open or have any celebratory décor, unapproved signage, or product displays outside the dispensary. No on-site consumption will be permitted, including samples. Music and food trucks are also not permitted outside of the dispensaries.

Dispensaries will be allowed to play recorded music inside, provide complimentary non-infused, non-alcoholic beverages, display the empty packaging of products indoors, and host ribbon cuttings and display signage and celebratory décor inside shops.