Ohio Medical Marijuana Program

IncSmart Ohio (Small Business and Startups) - The state Department of Commerce has received over 185 applications for just 24 cultivation licenses throughout the state.  The Ohio medical marijuana industry is ready to grow it's new business.  The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program will be up and running and operational by Sept. 8, 2018.  The deadline to apply for 24 grow licenses was Friday, July 7, more than a year after Governor John Kasich signed Ohio's medical marijuana law. The regulations and fees are keeping many people away from the license process.  Larger cultivators paid $20,000 nonrefundable application fee and will also pay $180,000 license fee if selected, renewable for $200,000 a year. The state application requires businesses to get permission from a local the local city laws that the business have a zoning approval.

The interest in the marijuana business is exploding with 185 applications to grow marijuana in the state.  Other Ohio businesses are preparing to apply for dispensary and processor licenses. Ohio plans to license 12 cultivators with 3,000 square feet of growing space, called Level 2, and 12 cultivators with 25,000 square feet, called Level 1. They will also license 40 processors that will produce marijuana oils, tinctures, and edible products.  The big push is to license 60 dispensaries and several testing labs. The cultivator licenses are based on businesses plans to grow marijuana, with information on staff and facilities.