Confusion, delays hinder local dispensaries after Ohio legalizes Recreational Marijuana
Issue 2 passed on the November ballot, legalizing recreational marijuana in Ohio.
The law went into effect in December. But lawmakers in the state's capitol have been looking to tweak the law, leading to confusion among residents and dispensary owners, as it's not legal to buy recreational marijuana yet.
Recently the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control said its goal is to have applications for dual-use licenses open by June 7. As of April 2023, Ohio had 81 medical marijuana dispensaries.
Ohio Valley Natural Relief in Wintersville has been opened since 2018, where they specialize in everything from THC edibles to flours to oils.
Mike Petrella owns the store and Sarah Davis is its general manager.
"We sell every form of marijuana you can probably think of," Davis said.
She says there's been a lot of interest since Issue 2 passed, but there's a lot of gray area that has come with it.
"We have a lot of people misinformed right now because there's not a lot of information, so we have a lot of traffic coming in. They already think that they can purchase, so they don't understand yet that the state hasn't set that regulation yet for sales," Davis said.
Petrella can attest to that.
"Politics in Columbus are playing its role where it’s taking up its time, so we don’t have a for sure start date," he said.
Petrella been outspoken about the benefits the new marijuana law would bring not just to the state but to the whole county for jobs and tax revenue. And with major plans of close to a million-dollar expansion next door to house both recreational and medical marijuana, they're getting held back.
Petrella says while not everyone agrees with legalizing marijuana, it's holding back those who are already established in the field.
"They need to put their politics aside and think of the citizens and pass this,” he said. “Think of everyone in the program, all the business owners, and try to get this moved along quicker."
