Ohio approves provisional marijuana licenses

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ohio has approved 62 provisional licenses for adult-use recreational marijuana, including 31 dispensaries across the state.

According to the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Cannabis Control, four of those dispensaries are in Columbus.

In total, 22 provisional licenses were issued to Franklin County marijuana businesses divided between dispensaries, cultivators, processors, and testing laboratories.

The issuance of the licenses does not mean the dispensaries can start selling marijuana to customers; instead, the businesses must prove to the Division of Cannabis Control that they have completed requirements dictated by the division, according to reporting from Forbes.

According to the reporting, the dual-use dispensaries have to show that they have updated their point-of-sale systems to differentiate between recreational and medical sales; be able to keep a supply of medical marijuana for patients; and boost security at their shops. Additionally, the businesses have to notify local law enforcement officials about their business, train employees, and ensure the product meets state guidelines.

There is no word on when the dispensaries would be able to sell to recreational customers; however, the owner of one company with several dispensaries across the state said recreational sales could begin this week.