Ohio issues 1st licenses for growing, processing marijuana

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) — A state agency has given the green light to the first group of Ohio businesses to grow and process marijuana for the state’s recreational market, bringing recreational marijuana sales one step closer.

The state’s Division of Cannabis Control has issued its first Certificates of Operation has granted four operational licenses for marijuana cultivators.

The license allows these cultivators to grow both medical and recreational pot. Another 32 cultivators have provisional licenses, with applications pending.

After the marijuana plants are grown, they need to be processed. To that end, the state has granted six operational licenses for marijuana processing. Another 37 are pending.

No licenses have been granted yet for buying and selling recreational marijuana, but 134 dispensaries are awaiting word.

Two of these 10 operational licenses granted so far have gone to Pure Ohio Wellness LLC in Springfield. It is the only business in the state to be approved for both cultivation and processing.

To obtain the licenses, Pure Ohio Wellness had to meet all the requirements on the state’s checklist, including facility inspections and compliance with tax laws.

When dispensaries can complete that same checklist and begin selling the product remains unclear. The state is still going through hundreds of applications from businesses seeking a dual-use license to sell both medical and recreational marijuana.

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