TOLEDO, Ohio — Some Ohio businesses are one step closer to recreational marijuana sales.
New rules will soon be in effect for those applying for recreational marijuana licenses as the application process starts in less than seven days.
Ohio lawmakers are trying to see how recreational marijuana could help businesses in Toledo and across the state.
"And it's going to be up to the division of cannabis control to review those applications and approve those applications before stores can go live," state Rep. Michele Grim, D-Toledo, said. "They haven't given any indication on when that will start."
Ohio voted yes for recreational marijuana last November. Now, this June things are finally starting to move along.
"We hopefully can get folks to open up businesses," Grim said. "Especially those who have been impacted by marijuana being legal for decades."
Grim's hope is to get people of color to apply for licenses. According to her, there's actually a written requirement in Issue 2 to help those who have been socially disadvantaged to get into the cannabis business.
"So hopefully, you know, we do see folks open up adult-use businesses here so that way, we can we can benefit from that sales tax revenue here in Toledo," Grim said.
Medical dispensaries will be able to apply for a recreational license starting June 7.
RELATED: Ohio adult-use marijuana sales approved as part of 2023 ballot measure could begin by mid-June
Don Lofton with Endo Vibe Cannabis Centers says this could impact businesses and potentially boost sales.
"I think this could have a huge impact on Michigan's business, just because of the travel time," Lofton said. "But Michigan, I think will survive because Michigan is a really compressed market."
Lofton said that in Michigan, they have a huge customer base that is based out of Ohio, and many customers are actually from southern Ohio.
Endo currently has two retail locations, with two more pending openings in Michigan. Lofton said that this application could open up a larger world of opportunities.
"So, the takeaway from Ohio coming into legalization, I think that as Endo, we're prepared," states Lofton. "Right now we're searching for licenses in the Ohio market. So we will actually have retail locations in the southern part of the state."