As the clock struck 7 a.m. today, a new chapter in Ohio's history was opened: recreational marijuana sales officially began in the state. This significant shift follows the announcement by the Division of Cannabis Control, which stipulated Tuesday and Wednesday as the kickstart dates for businesses holding dual licenses to begin selling, as reported by FOX19. Ohioans aged 21 and over can now legally purchase cannabis and grow up to six plants at home, with a cap of 12 plants per household.
Dispensaries across Ohio prepared for an influx of customers, anticipating the impact of recreational sales, "It’s amazing,” according to Michael Wells, director of revenue at Standard Wellness, in a quote obtained by FOX19. He added, “It was announced five days ago, there’s been a lot of work over the weekend, a lot of work in the months preceding this.” Wells, whose company already had a foothold in the medical marijuana market in Cincinnati, expects a significant upsurge in customers, with estimates pegged "somewhere between 1.5 million to upwards of 2 million."
The state's green light for recreational cannabis came after what The Columbus Dispatch described as "months of regulatory maneuvering and permit-seeking," culminating in 98 marijuana dispensaries receiving licenses. These dispensaries now bear the responsibility of deciding when they can feasibly commence sales, taking into account factors such as staffing and product availability, as they pioneer the state's foray into recreational marijuana.
In line with the state's regulatory framework, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control is issuing its inaugural set of dual-use Certificates of Operation (COOs) to eligible dispensaries this Tuesday, as detailed by WLWT. However, having a COO does not necessarily mean immediate sales. Each dispensary will make that call individually. The COOs were distributed roughly based on the order in which dispensaries completed necessary applications and compliance obligations.
