Head of Ohio Cannabis division says legal sales process is on schedule
Progress on Ohio's Recreational Marijuana Implementation Remains Uncertain.
Four months after Issue 2 passed in Ohio, legalizing the recreational sale and use of marijuana, the progress on implementing the new law has been hazy.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control says some have falsely claimed the process has stalled.
“What we keep seeing over and over from reporters and others is the idea that somehow it’s being held up,” division superintendent Jim Canepa said. “It’s quite the opposite.”
Canepa said the timeframe for legal marijuana sales in the state was put into place in the ballot measure in November.
“That’s what was passed,” Canpea said. “I don’t have unilateral authority to change those timeframes. I just have to meet those timeframes.”
He said implementing recreational marijuana isn’t like flipping a switch - that means issuing permits for non-medical cannabis and passing proposed rules. He said the framework for non-medical marijuana is much different for medicinal marijuana, which has been legal since 2018.
“The way we reverse-engineered the timeline it brings us to the June date to meet the statute,” Canera said.
Canera said there would be background checks along with other rules on purchasing legal cannabis, which are being worked out as well as how to issue permits and requirements.
