In response to the Request For Applications from Ohio’s public institutions of higher education that was announced on July 26, 2017, the Department of Commerce received two applications from interested institutions. Central State University and Hocking College both submitted applications to the Department during the application window (September 11-22, 2017). These applications will be reviewed and scored in a time frame consistent with meeting the Medical Marijuana Control Program operational date of September 8, 2018.
In order to have enough capacity to meet the anticipated demand for medical marijuana laboratory testing services, the Department of Commerce will also accept applications for licensure from private testing laboratories, regardless of affiliation with higher education, between November 27, 2017 and December 8, 2017. The application will be posted in the near future and is very similar to the already published application for higher education.
Pursuant to O.A.C. 3796:4-1-01(B), the Department of Commerce may issue licenses to entities not affiliated with Ohio’s public institutions of higher education beginning on June 5, 2018. The Department intends to review and score applications received from privately held entities in advance of that date, in order that certificates of operation may be issued as soon as possible thereafter.
