COLUMBUS >> The state faced criticism Wednesday for hiring a consultant with a drug conviction to help select Ohio’s medical marijuana growers.
At issue is a 2005 guilty plea in Pennsylvania by consultant Trevor Bozeman at age 20 to manufacturing, possessing and distributing drug charges. A marijuana possession charge was dropped.
Bozeman was one of three consultants the state selected to help grade the grower applications. The consultants worked with state employees to select the growers. Phone and email messages were left with Bozeman on Wednesday.
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Last week, Ohio selected 12 large growers for a total of 24 licenses. Jimmy Gould, CEO of CannAscend, an unsuccessful applicant, publicized Bozeman’s arrest on Tuesday to protest the selection process.
Republican state Auditor David Yost, a candidate for attorney general, on Wednesday called for the grower selection process to be stopped and reviewed. Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, a fellow Republican running for governor, said no grower licenses should be awarded until the process is reviewed.
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