Ohio Launches Medical Cannabis Sales

Ohio kicked off their medical cannabis sales on Wednesday, January 16, 2019. The state issued licenses for 56 dispensaries statewide, but only a handful were ready for business on the first day: The Botanist (Canton, Ohio), The Forest Sandusky (Sandusky, Ohio), CY+ (Wintersville, Ohio), and Ohio Valley Natural Relief LLC (Wintersville, Ohio). A fifth location (The Botanist, Wickliffe, Ohio) will reportedly open later in the week (1,2).

Ohio’s medical cannabis program has taken two years to get off the ground. Registered patients will be allowed to purchase a 90-day supply, but shortages are expected in the early stages of the launch. Patients will need to show a state-issued i.d. and registry card and pay in cash.

Qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Ohio reportedly include: AIDS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, fibromyalgia, glaucoma, hepatitis C, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain (as well as severe or intractable pain), Parkinson’s disease, positive status for HIV, post-traumatic stress disorder, sickle cell anemia, spinal cord disease or injury, Tourette’s syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and ulcerative colitis (2).

References:

1. https://www.wlwt.com/article/these-4-ohio-stores-will-start-selling-medical-marijuana-wednesday/25909392
2. https://fox8.com/2019/01/15/first-medical-marijuana-dispensaries-in-ohio-to-open-what-to-know/