The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) announced Jan. 29 that regulators are seeking stakeholder feedback on changes to the state’s medical cannabis program and draft rules for the state’s forthcoming adult-use market.
The DCC proposed repealing the annual medical cannabis registration fees of $50 for patients and $25 for caregivers, as well as cutting the annual license renewal fee for medical cannabis processors in half, reducing it from $100,000 to $50,000.
Regulators also proposed creating a medical cannabis provisional employee identification card “to streamline and expedite the hiring and onboarding process for medical marijuana industry employees.”
The provisional employee badge would be valid for 90 days and allow an applicant for the badge to begin working in the facility once a few requirements are met; the employer must submit the badge application, attest that the employee has no offenses on his or her record that would disqualify him or her from receiving a badge, and provide evidence that the employee has submitted fingerprints for Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) background checks.
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The DCC is also accepting feedback on proposed rules to jumpstart Ohio’s adult-use cannabis program after voters approved a legalization measure in the November 2023 election.
Regulators plan to roll out adult-use business license applications for existing medical cannabis operators and eligible social equity applicants by June 7, with provisional licenses to be issued by Sept. 7.
Level I medical cannabis cultivators would be able to operate up to three adult-use dispensary locations, Level II medical cannabis cultivators would be able to operate one dispensary location, and medical cannabis dispensary licensees with no cultivation or processing license would be able to operate one dispensary location, according to the draft rules.
To win a license, eligible applicants would be entered into a random drawing conducted by a third party, according to the proposed rules.
Stakeholders can submit comments on the draft rules to [email protected] by Friday, Feb. 9.
The DCC will then review and consider the feedback prior to submitting the proposed rules to the Common Sense Initiative and the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, which will provide additional opportunity for public comment.
As the DCC works to implement a business licensing process and roll out a commercial adult-use market in Ohio, it remains to be seen what, if any, changes the General Assembly will make to the voter-approved legalization measure.
While lawmakers, led by Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, initially planned changes to multiple provisions included in the voter-approved initiative—including possession limits, tax rates, tax revenue allocations, THC potency caps, dispensary license limits and a ban on home cultivation—they reversed course in early December, when the Senate approved a revised bill that more closely aligned with the voter-approved measure.
However, the General Assembly adjourned for 2023 without considering the legislation any further, and have yet to take it up in 2024.
Meanwhile, Gov. Mike DeWine has urged lawmakers to crack down on the sale of intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta-8 THC, which he claims are being marketed to children.
