Today, the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program officially awarded two more licensees for marijuana processors, as well as two licenses for marijuana testing facilities and two testing licenses for universes. That brings the total number of marijuana processors to nine. The companies granted testing licences were the first to be awarded.
The processing facilities include:
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)
According to the OMMCP's website, these are merely the first round of approvals. A second round of approvals will happen at a later date, once some clarifying questions have been answered by first round recipients. There are four processors still waiting for their licenses, pending background checks.
For those unaware, processors package and produce cannabis after receiving product from the state's marijuana cultivators, from oils to plant material, tinctures, edibles, creams and patches.
Two marijuana testing facilities and two universities were also granted provisional licences. These licenses would allow for testing marijuana for purity, as well as scientific research. There is no limit to the number of testing lab licenses that OMMCP can award.
Testing facilities include:
Private Labs:
Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus
North Coast Testing Laboratories, LLC
Universities:
Central State University
Hocking Technical College
Because of Ohio's strict guidelines about cultivating, testing, processing and selling marijuana, several companies within the medical marijuana industry have been delayed in starting their businesses. However, the tide is turning as cultivators are now growing marijuana. And soon, thanks to these licences, processors and testing facilities will be open. This means it will only be a matter of time until dispensaries welcome patients.
We at Ohio Marijuana Card know how frustrating it has been for medical marijuana card recipients that dispensaries are not open just yet, and are not likely to meet the September 8, 2018 deadline to be open. As a marijuana card holder myself, I share your frustration. Though a marijuana card grants patients an "affirmative defense" to possess, transport and use marijuana, many cannot buy cannabis very easily and have been hoping dispensaries would open sooner rather than later.
As always, Ohio Marijuana Card will keep you up to date on all Ohio medical marijuana news so that our customers, readers and medical marijuana advocates are well-informed about this issue. Fingers crossed that we'll see dispensaries by the end of the year! In the meantime, find out if you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Ohio.