Cultivation...Full Steam Ahead
Ohio's medical marijuana industry is just beginning to take root throughout the state, with Ohio Marijuana Card doctors offices open now, and marijuana dispensaries expected to begin opening this winter, with hopes that every dispensary will be operational by next year.
Sadly, the process of gaining State approval has been something of a serious challenge for cultivators, processors and testers, from jumping through the State's complicated hoops, to building or renovating facilities and hiring and training a passionate staff of marijuana connoisseurs. Sadly, dispensaries and cultivators will not meet the September 8, 2018 start date for having a fully functioning medical marijuana industry, but progress is being made!
Below is a look at Buckeye Relief's grow facility in Eastlake, Ohio, from Channel 3. This facility has been growing for roughly one month now, and seedlings are slowly and surely turning into beautiful plants. Take a look:
Marijuana Processor License Granted
The Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program has awarded one more license for marijuana processors. That brings the total number of marijuana processors to an even ten.
The Ohio Medical Marijuana 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.
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?
For those unaware, processors package and produce cannabis after receiving product from the state's marijuana cultivators. Processing is needed in order to package dry herb flower, in addition to creating oils, tinctures, edibles, creams and patches, just to name a few. Below is a quick breakdown of each of these delivery methods.
When will Ohio marijuana dispensaries open?
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.
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.