License To Process
Ohio's medical marijuana industry may not be fully up and running just yet, but the state continues to plow through new applications all the time, approving mmj businesses as often as they can. Last week (10/4/18), at the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program's monthly meeting, Ohioans saw a new provisional license granted for marijuana processing.
For those unaware, the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program was created in order to monitor the medical marijuana industry throughout Ohio. It is a collaboration between the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, the State Medical Board of Ohio and the Ohio Department of Commerce.
This organization holds monthly meetings to discuss new licenses that were granted, any changes in the mmj program, and to discuss the future direction of the medical marijuana industry in Ohio. Unfortunately, and quite annoyingly, neither businesses nor patients are allowed to debate, discuss, ask questions or add context during the meeting ... at least not yet.
This newest license brings the total number of processor provisional licenses to an unlucky 13. They include the following:
Announced Oct. 3, 2018
161.84 – Ohio Medical Solutions, Inc. (Akron, Summit)
Announced Sept. 18, 2018
134.56 – NMG Ohio, LLC (Huron, Erie County)
Announced Sept. 7, 2018
164.20 – FarmaceuticalRX LLC (East Liverpool, Columbiana County)
Announced Aug. 31, 2018
162.72 - Purpose Leaf, LLC (Enon, Clark County)
Announced Aug. 16, 2018
174.00 – Green Investment Partners LLC (Columbus, Franklin County)
172.92 – Standard Wellness Company LLC (Gibsonburg, Sandusky County)
Announced Aug. 3, 2018
185.48 – Ohio Grown Therapies, LLC (Johnstown, Licking County)
182.00 – Fire Rock Processing Ltd. (Columbus, Franklin County)
177.28 – Ohio Green Grow LLC (Toledo, Lucas County)
176.72 - Greenleaf Therapeutics, LLC (Middlefield, Geauga County) *
172.20 – Grow Ohio Pharmaceuticals, LLC (Newtown Township, Muskingum County)
156.52 – Standard Farms Ohio LLC (Garfield Heights, Cuyahoga County)
155.32 – Corsa Verde, LLC (Columbus, Franklin County)
What Is Marijuana Processing?
Medical marijuana processing is one of the more confusing terms out there in the cannabis industry. Most casual mmj patients do not know the whole process that marijuana goes through before it can be sold in stores, especially for those who only know of smoking the plant.
Quite naturally, marijuana is first grown by cultivators. At current there are around 26 cultivators, large and small scale, approved to grow medical marijuana throughout Ohio, and many have already started growing, too. After marijuana has flowered, and reached its peak potency, it is harvested and dried, which cures the marijuana, making it ready to be consumed.
Afterward, marijuana is then tested for purity by licensed medical marijuana testers, like the facility at Hocking Technical College. They make sure that the cannabis has set values for its active compounds, like THC and CBD. They also test to make sure the plant material meets safe standards and isn't loaded with toxic pesticides that could have been used while growing.
Any cannabis that is going to be processed to create tinctures, edibles or creams must be sent to a marijuana processing facility, where the plant material is converted into oils, powders and other forms. Processors also package up marijuana for sale. What this means to the patient is that any gummy they may eat, or cream they may apply to an affected area, went through a marijuana processor after the raw plant material was harvested by a cultivator.
Types of Processed Marijuana
Smoking marijuana is certainly the trendiest way to enjoy your medicine at current. That said, smoking cannabis will likely become an archaic form of marijuana consumption in the future as there are better, and healthier, methods for delivering the highest potency rates to mmj patients. In fact, in less than a few decades, it is likely people will chuckle lovingly that cannabis users ever so much as considered smoking weed.
There are several different types of processed medical marijuana. Below, we will take a quick look at each type and how they can be utilized in order for patients to find relief.
Oil or Wax Vaping
Oil is a highly concentrated THC product — up to 2 times stronger than flower forms (70% THC per dose in comparison to 35% THC from flower)! Oils and wax often look like honey or amber, with a sticky, glass-like consistency.
Oils are loaded into the vaporizer chamber and heated, in a method sometimes referred to as “dabbing.” Some vaporizers have the ability to vaporize both flower and concentrated oils. However there are some devices that are specifically used for flower or for oils.
Oils can also be packaged in supplemental pill form, ingested like one would take any pill. These capsules will be filled with either THC, CBD, or a combination.
Edible Marijuana
Ohio dispensaries will also have available a few different forms of consumables infused with THC or CBD. Common forms of edibles include brownies, cookies, lollipops and gummies, to name a few.
It is important to note that edible products can take up to an hour, or sometimes longer, for the effects to become apparent. Most consumable products can last for up to 4-6 hours, and can be quite strong or overwhelming if you are new to higher THC concentrations, so make sure that you portion your edibles out accordingly!
Furthermore, when an edible form of THC is consumed, the traditional chemical makeup of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) is turned into 11-hydroxy-THC. This can render the edible up to 4 times stronger than traditional forms of medical marijuana consumption.
Topical Marijuana
In addition to both the vaporizable products and edible products, Ohio has also approved THC and CBD-infused patches, lotions, creams, and ointments for topical administration. Topical treatments are often used to ease specific areas of the body. Cancer patients, for example, can use topical creams on their hands or feet to reduce the tingling sensation derived from chemotherapy treatments.
These delivery methods are absorbed through the skin, allowing patients to apply THC or CBD products directly to an affected area. Patients usually begin to feel relief with topicals within roughly an hour of application.
Tinctures
Tinctures contain a more concentrated form of THC or CBD and are made by infusing those compounds with a high-grade alcohol. Tinctures are most often packaged in an eyedropper. Like with any liquid medication, tinctures are used for oral ingestion. The drops can be placed under the tongue sublingually or directly into the mouth. Patients can also use this method to infuse their food with THC, CBD or both compounds.
This method is often used for those suffering from debilitating seizures, as side effects are minimal or mild. Tinctures are faster acting than most edibles, making it an ideal delivery method for those who don’t want to wait for their relief.
How Do I Get A Medical Marijuana Recommendation?
Naturally, processed marijuana may not be for everyone, but for those suffering from chronic pain, cancer, seizures or even PTSD, gummies, edibles, oils and tinctures will be integral in helping patients gain balance over their ailment.
There are 21 medical conditions that qualify Ohioans for medical marijuana usage, including the ones mentioned above. If you are not sure if you qualify for medical marijuana in Ohio, click here to learn more. Or, if you would like to set an appointment with one of Ohio Marijuana Card's state-licensed medical marijuana doctors, just give our offices a call at 1-866-457-5559 and one of our friendly support team members will walk you through the whole process.
It is simple and easy to get your medical marijuana recommendation, and with Ohio dispensaries opening in the coming months, now is the time to set your appointment and finally find the relief you have so desperately sought.
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