Ohio

Why haven’t Ohio recreational marijuana sales started yet?

Published

4 months ago

July 11, 2024

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Why haven’t Ohio recreational marijuana sales started yet?

Over 100 Ohio medical cannabis dispensaries could sell recreational marijuana soon, but they still have a few boxes to check

Over 100 Ohio medical cannabis dispensaries are on their way to selling recreational marijuana − but they still have a few boxes to check before sales can begin.

The Division of Cannabis Control began accepting applications last month from medical marijuana businesses that want to participate in the adult-use market. Ohioans voted last year to legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, but the licensing process for operators couldn’t begin until the division finalized those rules.

More: What you need to know as Ohio prepares to launch recreational marijuana sales

As of Thursday, the state had issued 112 provisional dual-use licenses to dispensaries and 78 to either cultivators, processors or testing labs. Businesses with a provisional license must do the following before regulators grant final approval:

Notify local officials and law enforcement.
Train employees.
Ensure security equipment is up to date and meets state standards.

Dispensaries must also pass a test to show they can properly distinguish and sell medical and adult-use products.

It’s unclear how long the process could take. Some industry officials initially predicted a June or early July launch, but that timeframe already passed. Division of Cannabis Control spokesman Jamie Crawford said the turnaround depends on how quickly applicants can meet the various requirements.

Business owners still expect recreational sales at existing dispensaries to begin sometime this summer. The state is required by law to approve dual-use licenses for medical marijuana operators by September.

Dispensaries will likely be busy in the weeks after they launch recreational sales, but many have increased staffing to meet the demand, Cresco Labs spokesman Jason Erkes said.

“The state has been running this at lightning-fast speed compared to other launches − provisional licenses a week after applications were submitted is unheard of,” Erkes said. “This is a big effort with a lot of compliance and regulatory requirements and while it might seem like hurry up and wait, I know the Commerce Department wants to make sure it’s done right instead of done quickly.”

Separately, the Division of Cannabis Control has received nearly 200 applications for brand new dispensaries known as 10(B) licenses. Under the law passed last year, large cultivators can apply for three dispensary licenses at new locations, while smaller growers get one. Medical dispensaries that aren’t affiliated with a cultivator or processor are eligible for another dispensary license.

Those stores will take more time to get off the ground, potentially not opening until sometime next year.

See which dispensaries have dual-use provisional licenses below:

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

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Ohio

Photos from Ohio State’s 38-15 Win over Indiana

Published

1 hour ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Photos from Ohio State’s 38-15 Win over Indiana

Ohio State has earned its second top-five win of the season.

The Buckeyes dominated Indiana on Saturday, taking down the Hoosiers 38-15 at Ohio Stadium.

Will Howard completed 22 of 26 passes for 201 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, while Caleb Downs made the play of the day and returned a punt 79 yards for a touchdown.

Cody Simon had a terrific day defensively, finishing with 2.5 sacks on the afternoon.

Ohio State is back in action for its regular-season finale with a battle against Michigan next week in Columbus. But in the meantime, you can view our photo gallery from the day that has more than 100 photos of the action at the top of the page.

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315 south reopens near Ohio State campus before big game against Indiana

Published

10 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

315 south reopens near Ohio State campus before big game against Indiana

(This story has been updated to accurately reflect the most current information.)

Ohio State football fans should be in better shape driving to Saturday’s game after road crews cleared a major traffic crash near campus.

All southbound lanes on State Route 315 beyond North Broadway Street were closed for several hours Saturday morning due to a crash, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. A semitruck carrying fuel jack-knifed around 6:30 a.m., blocking traffic on the freeway just before the Gooddale Street exit.

The truck was moved from the freeway around 8 a.m., and the freeway reopened about 45 minutes later.

How to get to Ohio Stadium for Indiana game

Ohio State athletics suggests these alternate routes to get to Ohio Stadium:

Traveling from the North

I-71 South to Hudson Street or 17th Avenue exits

Traveling from the South

I-71 North to SR-315 North
Exit at Ackerman Road or Olentangy River Road

Traveling from the East

I-670 West to SR-315 North
Exit at Ackerman or Olentangy River Road
670 West to 71 North to 17th Avenue or Hudson Street

Traveling from the West

I-270 South to 70 East to I-670 to SR-315 North
Exit at Ackerman Road or Olentangy River Road
Fishinger Road to Kenny Road to Ackerman Road
Riverside Drive to Fishinger Road or Lane Avenue

shendrix@dispatch.com

@sheridan120

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Ohio

Ohio, Kentucky high school football teams look ahead to state semifinals Nov. 29

Published

18 hours ago

November 23, 2024

Press Room

Ohio, Kentucky high school football teams look ahead to state semifinals Nov. 29

CINCINNATI — Thanksgiving week represents the state semifinals for high school football teams in Ohio and Kentucky.

In Division I, Moeller (13-1) is expected to take on Centerville (11-3) in a state semifinal to be played at Princeton Nov. 29. This will be Moeller’s fourth consecutive state semifinals after defeating St. Xavier 28-23.

Friday night’s sold-out game at Mason (7,000 capacity) was the second meeting between the Greater Catholic League South division rivals this season. Moeller defeated host St. X 45-37 Sept. 20. This was the first time the two teams had met in a regional final since 2014.

Moeller, Ohio’s No. 1-ranked team by MaxPreps, was the No. 1 seed in Region 4 this season. St. X, ranked No. 8 statewide by MaxPreps, is the No. 6 seed.

Region 8’s top seed, Anderson (14-0), will play Sunbury Big Walnut in a Division II state semifinal Nov. 29 at a location to be determined.

Unbeaten Anderson defeated No. 2 seed La Salle 28-21 in a regional final at Princeton.

Anderson is ranked No. 11 in the MaxPreps Ohio rankings (regardless of division) while La Salle was No. 18.

Friday was the fourth meeting between the two programs including the first matchup since a 2021 second-round playoff game in which the Lancers won 45-21, according to La Salle football broadcaster Jeff Bosse. The Lancers were also victorious in a 2020 regional semifinal and a 2007 regular-season game.

Anderson, winning its second straight regional title, now makes its fourth state Final Four appearance in program history. The Raptors were a 2023 state semifinalist, 2008 state runner-up and 2007 state champion — all in Division II.

Taft (12-2) is also heading to the state semifinals after a 26-12 win over Alter in the Division IV, Region 16 regional final at Monroe. The game was a rematch of a Week 3 game in which Taft won 36-7 over visiting Alter. That was part of the Senators’ three-game win streak to start the season.

Taft was in its first regional final since 2021, which was Tyler Williams’ first season as head coach.

The Senators have won the first Cincinnati Public Schools football regional championship since 1992, according to CPS athletics. Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education (CAPE) won the last of its three state championships in 1992 (Division IV). CAPE also won state titles in 1986 (Division III) and 1985 (Division IV).

Kentucky played its regional finals Friday night. Ryle defeated Central Hardin 43-14, getting their first regional championship since 2020.

In Class 5A, Cooper dominated at home against Southwestern, advancing after a 56-15 win. Highlands also won big, running away at the half to defeat Pulaski County 42-18.

In a rematch of last year’s Class 4A state championship, Covington Catholic defeated Boyle County 31-28.

Beechwood defeated Martin County 44-7 in Class 2A play.

Indiana was in the semi-state round Friday night. In Class 3A, Batesville lost on the road at Heritage Hills.

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