In November 2023, about 57.19% of Ohioans voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, and Tuesday, Aug 6, marks the beginning of legal recreational marijuana sales in Ohio.

James Crawford, the public information officer of the Ohio Department of Commerce, said in a press release that 98 dispensaries in Ohio will receive the first set of dual-use Certificates of Operation.

Bliss Ohio, a dispensary located on Main Street, is one of two dual use dispensaries in Portage County. Bliss will begin recreational sales Thursday.

“Each licensee must determine when they will start sales based on factors including: staffing, stock and other business considerations,” Crawford said.

The awarding of the certificates is based on the date applicants applied on, and more applicants will receive certificates later this week, Crawford said. He said if an applicant is not awarded a certificate, it is likely a result of an incomplete application, and the Division of Cannabis Control will work with the applicant to resolve the issue.

In a press release, James Canepa, superintendent of the DCC, said applicants received licensing before the initial Sept. 7 deadline because of the legislative foundation laid out by the Medical Marijuana Control Program.

“Since existing licensees had already met stringent requirements of that program, we anticipated this process to be rather smooth,” Canepa said. “They had already undergone many of the comprehensive checks as part of that process.”

To receive a certificate, dispensaries must demonstrate:

• They are able to properly process adult use and medical marijuana sales.
• They have ensured their security systems meet legal requirements.
• They have agreed to have as much inventory as possible be available to medical marijuana patients.
• They have valid employee training and update employee badging.

Crawford said information on how to receive a certificate will be available on the Ohio Department of Commerce’s website following the issuing of the certificates to the first set of dispensaries.

Canepa said the division will continue to review and approve dispensaries and bonus licenses eligible for receiving a certificate.

“Since those additional sites will take time to construct, inspect and receive Certificates of Operation, we anticipate that, over the coming months and years, those [dispensaries] will become operational,” Crawford said.

As required by Ohio, come September 2026, the division will elevate the demand and access of dispensaries to determine potential additional licensees, Canepa said.

“Our Division is committed to continuing our work in developing and proposing rules to help ensure the cannabis industry in Ohio remains safe and secure,” he said.

Adriana Gasiewski is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected].