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.