BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — Recreational marijuana is not yet legal to buy or sell in Ohio but facilities are preparing to start the process.
133 dispensaries in Ohio have qualified for a provisional license for dual-use cannabis by the Division of Cannabis Control.
Some dispensaries have already received provisional licenses, which is the next step in the process to selling recreational marijuana. Now, all they have to wait for is their certificate of operation.
That includes Zen Leaf dispensary in Bowling Green.
"There was a series of boxes and obligations that we had to check and meet in order to get that certificate of operation," Robert Hart, the senior manager and compliance attorney with Verano and Zen Leaf said.
Hart said they're now just waiting for the thumbs-up.
"It's basically a waiting game for division of cannabis control to make sure all the cultivators, the folks that are actually growing the cannabis in the state, also have their certificate of operations," Hart said.
A few residents in Bowling Green said they're happy this plan is finally in action.
"I know a lot of people who smoke marijuana and it's always been the same thing, like what is taking so long for this process because you see it legalized in Michigan," Chaz Huff said.
Huff said he believes the purchases will be helpful for the city and state.
"I just think it's great for tax dollars in general because it doesn't make sense to me why a lot of our tax dollars are just going to Michigan," Huff said. "We're missing a golden opportunity here to bring better streets."
Hart said communities can expect to see tax revenue depending on the rules they implement and how much people are buying.
"Communities get a certain percentage of the fund based on the number of cannabis entities within their municipality or county level," Hart said.
"I am so glad they finally got it together," Maykishia Darby, a Bowling Green resident said. "Now we don't have to drive to Michigan."
As for when people will be able to start buying and selling marijuana for recreational purposes, it is not yet clear.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify information regarding the status of the licenses.