Ohio Issues Provisional Dual-Use Licenses

Just two weeks after the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) opened the dual-use applications window, it has approved 62 provisional dual-use licenses to dispensaries, cultivators, processors and testing labs.  These are not licenses to sell non-medical marijuana, they are “placeholders” while the licensees go through the process to meet the requirements to obtain a Certificate of Operation. This process includes updates to security and point-of-sale also separating medical and adult use sales, and most importantly maintaining an adequate supply for medical patients.  Once these changes are made and approved Certificates of Operation will be issued (roughly) as received.

The DCC does not have “one singular date for sales to begin.” But it is expected that current medical licensees who have taken the necessary steps and have been subject to all the cursory checks by the DCC should have a quick turnaround. Sales could start this summer.

The DCC is also receiving praise for the rate the DCC is moving through this process. Jason Erkes, CCO at Cresco Labs commented “the speed that the state of Ohio is working at is a testament to their priorities.”  This is a welcome surprise to those that have been through these processes with other states or municipalities, which can seem static at times when the industry is moving at lightning speed.

If you have any questions, please contact one of the authors or a member of the Miller Johnson Cannabis practice group.