Ohio recreational marijuana sales could happen sooner than expected

Recreational marijuana sales in Ohio may begin sooner than expected.

Industry and state officials say medical marijuana stores could open their doors for adult-use customers this summer − potentially as early as June. Ohioans voted in November to allow adults 21 and older to buy, possess and grow marijuana, but sales can't begin until state regulators hash out the program's rules.

Under the new law, the Division of Cannabis Control has until June 7 to make license applications available and must award those licenses by September. While marijuana operators initially predicted a fall launch, they now think existing stores could be up and running soon after applications are released.

“What we’re hearing is that it could happen this summer. It could happen this fall," said Pete Nischt, vice president of compliance and communications at Akron-based Klutch Cannabis. "Our job as a vertical operator is to make sure that we’re prepared for this whenever it comes."

More: No, you can't legally smoke marijuana at your favorite Ohio beer garden. Here's why

Ohio marijuana sales could begin as early as June

There are 120 certified medical cannabis dispensaries and another dozen with provisional licenses in Ohio. Under rules proposed by the cannabis division, these businesses will be able to apply for dual-use licenses that allow them to sell medical and adult-use products at their facilities.

"We believe that many residents will be able to benefit from cannabis use, especially those residents who are currently unable to obtain a medical marijuana card due to their ailment/condition not being listed as a qualifying condition for Ohio," said Jeane' Holley, director of community, government and public relations for Harvest of OH.

The division's proposal will go before a legislative panel for final approval in the coming weeks. In addition to licensing, the agency laid out parameters for drive-through windows, curbside pickup and online sales − practices that already exist under the medical program. The rules also instruct dispensaries to card customers to ensure they aren't under 21.

Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, who chairs the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, said he expects approval for dual licenses to move quickly. Medical marijuana operators already had to meet stringent state requirements that are part of the recreational program.

"They've already gone through all of the checks and all the licenses and all the stuff that needs to be done," Callender said. "So, I would anticipate it being a very simple application."

The division is less willing to speculate about when sales will begin. Spokesman Jamie Crawford said regulators are on track to meet the required deadlines but said the timeline ultimately depends on JCARR's approval. The committee is scheduled to meet three times before June 7.

"It would be inappropriate for us to engage in hypotheticals as it relates to what the final timeline might look like, since it could be accelerated in the event of legislative action," Crawford said.

It also depends on the dispensaries. Existing marijuana businesses have already prepared for recreational by increasing staff and buying new equipment. That means some could be ready to go on day one, but Callender said others might need more time to ensure their facilities can handle the higher demand.

"I expect a large number of dual licensees to be ready to go when dual licenses are awarded," Buckeye Relief CEO Andy Rayburn said.

Will Ohio Legislature change marijuana law?

Then there's the elephant in the room: The Legislature.

During his State of the State last week, Gov. Mike DeWine again asked lawmakers to clarify rules for public marijuana use. DeWine and the Ohio Senate pushed for changes to the law in December and wanted to quickly kickstart recreational sales at medical dispensaries. But negotiations stalled after the House declined to take action.

House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, said last week that the agency rules will handle most of what DeWine wants addressed. Separately, Democratic leaders said they've started discussing legislation to expunge low-level marijuana convictions − something that wasn't included in the voter-approved law.

"I am not very optimistic that there will be some large cannabis bill that comes out of these chambers," House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, said. "Maybe some small changes around the edge − probably, my guess is, during the next budget cycle. But it's moving forward as the voters passed in a matter of months at this point."

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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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio marijuana sales could begin this summer at existing dispensaries