Contrary to stereotypes, Ohio weed enthusiasts are moving faster than expected to get recreational marijuana on the shelves.
According to decision-makers, the Cannabis Control Department and pharmacy owners, sales may start as early as mid-June. We had an exclusive on this story back in April, but it finally came to fruition on Monday.
The completion of issue 2 made it possible for adults 21 and older to smoke, vape and exploit pot. Individual Ohioans can grow up to six plants, 12 per household. Click here to learn more about what this law entails.
According to Issue 2, the Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) was not scheduled to begin processing retailer applications until June. The governor and lawmakers initially predicted that legal marijuana purchases wouldn’t be possible until slow summer or fall.
However, due to the rapid action of DCC, the drug may be available in as little as a month.
“We are very excited to serve adult consumers here in Ohio,” said Tom Haren, spokesman for the Ohio Cannabis Coalition.
Haren is excited that the Joint Committee on the Review of Agency Rules (JCARR) has approved the Division of Cannabis Control regulations, which means medical dispensaries will be able to start applying for a recreational license in the next few weeks.
This is great news for Phoebe DePree of Goddess Growers, who sells grocery products. She said this opens her products to a whole recent market.
“It’s exciting for us because it provides an element of convenience for consumers,” DePree said. “This is a real opportunity for us.”
It was started by state Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, who also chairs JCARR. He fought against changes senators wanted to make to our current marijuana policy – such as restricting home cultivation and limiting THC content.
This agreement should ease disputes between Republicans. There are two ways to legally sell marijuana. On issue 2, it was agreed that the administration would develop the guidelines, but a faster way would be to take legislative action.
Both the House and Senate introduced their ideas, and their leaders argued over whose policies were better for the state, which in turn kept marijuana off the shelves even though it was legalized five months ago.
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This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication on other news outlets because it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.
