Accelerated Timeline: Ohio's High Hopes for Marijuana Sales

Logan County - In Ohio, the sale of recreational marijuana could potentially start as early as mid-June 2024, which marks a significant shift from the initial projections. This new timeline is due to the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review (JCARR), which plans to accept proposed regulations from the Department of Cannabis Control.

The acceptance of these regulations would enable existing medical marijuana dispensaries to pursue dual licenses, which would allow them to sell recreational cannabis alongside medicinal varieties. This move could serve as a solution to the ongoing disputes among Republicans in the state's legislature, who have been at odds over the proposed restrictions on the recreational marijuana law that was approved by voters.

In December 2023, the Senate passed a bill to allow immediate recreational sales by medical dispensaries. However, this bill came with several limitations, such as restrictions on home cultivation, THC levels, and vaping products, which caused some controversy.

The House, on the other hand, refused to take up this bill, arguing that it contradicted the will of the voters, who had approved the use of recreational marijuana without any restrictions.

However, with JCARR's approval of dual licensing, dispensaries could potentially start selling recreational marijuana by mid-June, months ahead of the originally anticipated timeline of late summer or fall.

The application process for obtaining dual licenses is expected to be straightforward, mainly because medical dispensaries are already licensed. This means that they meet the necessary regulations and standards, making it easier for them to transition into selling recreational marijuana.

JCARR's chair, Rep. Jamie Callender, stated that recreational sales could potentially begin before the July 4th weekend. This would resolve one aspect of the legislative impasse and mark an important milestone in the state's journey towards legalizing recreational marijuana.

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