COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review approved a licensing scheme on Monday that could soon allow adult-use sales from current medical cannabis dispensaries.

What You Need To Know

  • Medical marijuana dispensaries could soon be able to apply for dual licenses to sell recreationally

  • Applications for the license open up June 7th

  • The sale of adult-use recreational marijuana could start as early as mid-June

The proposal was devised by the Division of Cannabis (DCC).

Medical dispensaries that are also looking to sell recreational marijuana are expected to be able to apply for a dual license no later that June 7. The dispensaries could start selling to patients and adults as soon as they’re approved. The application process is expected to have a pretty quick turnaround time with sales projected to start just a few weeks after applications open. 

Curaleaf has two medical dispensaries in the state. Its CEO, Matt Darin, released a statement in response to the news.

“We plan to submit adult-use license applications on or before June 7 for our two existing locations in Newark and Cuyahoga Falls, and plan for continued growth in the market,” Darin said in his statement. “Leveraging our level one cultivation license, we look forward to providing high-quality cannabis products to an expanded community of cannabis consumers in the Buckeye state. The growing market provides the state with opportunities for job growth, and we’re glad to be a part of the momentum.”

Along with a change to adult-use recreational sales, those who have a license to sell medical marijuana can also expect a change. Medical marijuana patients and caregivers will no longer have to pay a fee to obtain or renew their registration. This change was a part of an initial package of rules that the DCC released in February.