New regulations for Ohio’s recreational marijuana program take effect today, including the elimination of patient and caregiver registration fees for medical marijuana use.
The Joint Committee on Agency Rule, a legislative panel, approved these regulations on May 13. This approval advances Ohioans aged 21 and older closer to purchasing marijuana from dispensaries, as a new rule addresses applications for medical marijuana dispensaries to transition into dual-use dispensaries, serving both medical and adult-use customers.
On June 7, the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control will begin publishing dual-use applications for existing medical dispensaries online, following the voter-approved law from last November.
James Crawford, a spokesperson for the Division of Cannabis Control, noted that applications will be processed on a rolling basis, with most current medical permit holders expected to apply well before the September 7 deadline. This deadline is the latest date by which the state must either approve or deny an application.
The Division of Cannabis Control will have multiple team members review the dual-use applications. Since these applicants are already operating as medical dispensaries, most are expected to be approved quickly. Crawford mentioned that the applications are not lengthy, given the dispensaries’ existing licenses.
It is anticipated that many applications will be submitted soon after the forms become available, though it’s unclear how fast the state will process them. State Rep. Jamie Callender, monitoring the program, suggested that medical dispensaries could start serving recreational customers by early-to-mid June or by July 4.
Despite these expectations, the Division of Cannabis Control has not made any public commitments regarding the timeline. Crawford emphasized that the review process will vary based on each operator’s unique circumstances, aiming for thorough and compliant evaluations.
According to the new law, all dual-use license applications must be approved unless there are issues with the applications. Ohio currently has 124 operational medical dispensaries. The review of these applications is expected to be simpler than the initial medical dispensary applications, which required in-person state inspections.
I’m sorry but the Fees for Medical marijuana still are in effect. I just received my renewal package. It’s just cheaper to renewal…Not unless this is for businesses applying to sell.