TOLEDO, Ohio — Recreational marijuana in Ohio cleared a major legislative hurdle on Monday as medical dispensaries can soon begin applying for permits as soon as June 7 to sell non-medical marijuana products.
It all stems from a push from Columbus. In the months following the passage of recreational marijuana by voters back in November, Gov. Mike DeWine expressed concerns about a black market edging into the state's business before it has a chance to truly establish the recreational industry.
So, he pushed for medical facilities to be given the go-ahead to start selling first.
Multiple medical shops in Lucas County would be applicable, such as Rise Toledo on Sylvania Avenue, Wyld Skye on Dorr Street, Ohio Cannabis Connection on Southwyck Boulevard and Bloom Medicinals in Maumee.
But even if all those shops apply, that doesn't mean they'll be able to start selling the moment they fill out their application.
Brandon Cohen, a University of Toledo professor who teaches a marijuana finance class and studied Michigan's recreational industry, explained what to expect from the process.
"In Michigan, the turnaround time going from med to adult use was 30-60 days in which they could start selling, the only thing was the supply," he said. "It still took a lot of time for supply to catch up to demand, so prices were very high initially when they launched adult use and then it dropped very quickly because the supply and demand met and equilibrium."
This year will prove to be significant for medical dispensaries, but it's not the same story for CBD stores in the area, which still have to wait another two years to apply for recreational marijuana permits.
Kevin Spittler, owner of Toledo Hemp Center, said he's worried his store will lose customers trying to compete.