Lake County Times

COLUMBUS—272 days after Ohio voters passed Issue 2 with 57% of the vote, Ohio has commenced the sale of adult-use cannabis, announced State Representative Jamie Callender (R-Concord). The Division of Cannabis Control has issued dual-use licenses to 98 existing medical dispensaries, allowing them to sell adult-use products alongside medical cannabis.

Ohio joins 23 other states and several U.S. territories in permitting full adult use of cannabis. According to the PEW Research Center, this means that 54% of Americans now live in a state with both adult-use and medical cannabis sales, while 74% reside in states with medical sales.

In addition to the dispensaries, dual-use licenses have been granted to six testing labs, 29 cultivators, and 31 processors. Overall, seven testing labs, 37 cultivators, and 42 processors have applied for dual-use licenses. Additionally, there are 134 dispensaries awaiting issuance of a dual-use license.

“Nine months ago, millions of Ohioans overwhelmingly said ‘yes’ to ending marijuana prohibition and implementing a legal non-medical marijuana program,” said Tom Haren, spokesperson for OHCANN. “Today those voices have been heard and Ohioans 21 years and older now have access to marijuana products that are regulated, tested, and taxed.”

To mark the start of adult use-sales, Representative Callender participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Amplify in Cleveland Heights where he became the first customer. He purchased Willie’s Reserve—a strain grown and processed by Buckeye Relief in Eastlake.

“We are so excited to bring clean, tested legal marijuana products to the people of Ohio who have been forced to purchase undependable illegal product until today,” said Andy Rayburn, CEO and co-founder of Buckeye Relief and Amplify. “Our Buckeye Relief products are the best in Ohio.”

“Over 40 years ago I began advocating for the legalization of adult-use cannabis in Ohio,” stated Callender. “Today I join thousands of Ohioans in enjoying the hard-fought right to purchase adult use cannabis.”

Additional parts of Issue 2 await implementation as stand-alone adult-use licenses still need creation.