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Ohio Cannabis License Solutions
Our experienced team at Cannabis License Experts (CLE) will assist you in obtaining your Ohio cannabis license quickly and with an unrivaled success record. Having to repeat your Ohio cannabis license application procedure can set your business back by months and substantially reduce your earning potential. Book your free consultation today and let us show you how we’ll help you on your path to a Ohio cannabis license and much more.
15+
Years of Experience
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Clients Served
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Google Reviews
130,000+
Services Completed
Market Potential
Ohio is a highly competitive medical market with limited cannbis licenses and a complicated, lengthy application process. With a heavy emphasis on medical approaches to marijuana use as well as limited product types permitted, the state legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Ohio’s Medical Marijuana Control Program was created by House Bill 523 taking effect on September 8, 2016. Current discussions include considerations for Adult Use marijuana and options to tax marijuana products.
Book a free consultation today to learn more about how Cannabis License Experts can assist you and your team on your path to Ohio cannbis licenses.
Book a free consultation today to learn more about how Cannabis License Experts can assist you and your team on your path to Ohio cannbis licenses.
Ohio Cannabis License Requirements, Timelines, and Selection
Basic Ohio cannabis license applications for any Ohio cannabis license type include, at a minimum, a business plan, operations plan, and patient plan. Ohio is split into 31 dispensary districts, allowing it to chart where the state's 56 existing dispensaries that have permission to operate already exist.
There are two remaining dispensaries that have not yet received permission to open to patients. Product type limitations include permittance of oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, lotions, creams, and patches only. The law prohibits the use of medical marijuana by smoking or combustion, however, it does allow for vaping. Ohio utilizes third party Ohio cannabis license application reviews that are blind with identifying information about the applicant redacted and/or omitted. No individual reviewer involved in the scoring of Ohio cannabis license applications provided more than one-third of a consensus vote toward a portion of the application’s final score. The first 57 dispensary licenses that were awarded through Competitive Scoring with the application earning the highest rate receiving a license, however, The Board of Pharmacy has since updated the process in hopes this will streamline licensing and avoid lawsuits from unsuccessful Ohio cannabis license applicants. Licensing is overseen by The Ohio Department of Commerce and The State Board of Pharmacy.
The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy released a second RFA on September 20th, 2021 to license up to 73 additional dispensary licenses through the new lottery selection process which closed on November 18th, 2021. The results from the lottery selection can be found on the MMCP website.
Note: The current application period for cultivators is closed. To get updates on new application periods, sign up for updates on the MMCP homepage.
There are two remaining dispensaries that have not yet received permission to open to patients. Product type limitations include permittance of oils, tinctures, plant material, edibles, lotions, creams, and patches only. The law prohibits the use of medical marijuana by smoking or combustion, however, it does allow for vaping. Ohio utilizes third party Ohio cannabis license application reviews that are blind with identifying information about the applicant redacted and/or omitted. No individual reviewer involved in the scoring of Ohio cannabis license applications provided more than one-third of a consensus vote toward a portion of the application’s final score. The first 57 dispensary licenses that were awarded through Competitive Scoring with the application earning the highest rate receiving a license, however, The Board of Pharmacy has since updated the process in hopes this will streamline licensing and avoid lawsuits from unsuccessful Ohio cannabis license applicants. Licensing is overseen by The Ohio Department of Commerce and The State Board of Pharmacy.
The State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy released a second RFA on September 20th, 2021 to license up to 73 additional dispensary licenses through the new lottery selection process which closed on November 18th, 2021. The results from the lottery selection can be found on the MMCP website.
Note: The current application period for cultivators is closed. To get updates on new application periods, sign up for updates on the MMCP homepage.
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Some of the World’s Largest Brands have Trusted CLE to Support their Cannabis Journey.
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Financial Requirements
Applicants must pay fees starting from $5,000 - $10,000, per Ohio cannabis license application. Ohio cannabis license applicants must provide proof they have adequate liquid assets to cover all expenses and costs of the first year, currently defined by the state as a minimum of $250,000. Proof of financial ability may include banking and financial statements and/or CPA letters. Furthermore, each Ohio cannabis license applicant must establish and maintain an escrow account or surety bond in the amount of $50,000 as a condition precedent to receiving a medical marijuana certificate of operation license. If awarded a Ohio cannabis license to operate, additional licensing fees per license may apply.
Ohio Cannabis License Types
Ohio permits the following license types as described below:
- Dispensary
- Cultivation
- Level I cultivators are permitted to operate an initial marijuana cultivation area up to 25,000 square feet.
- Level II cultivators are permitted to operate an initial marijuana cultivation area of 3,000 square feet. Licensees may submit an expansion request pursuant to the cultivator rules.
- Processing
- Lab Testing
*Two licenses awarded by the Ohio Department of Commerce – Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville & Central State University in Wilberforce.
| Total # of Ohio Cannabis Licenses | 94 |
|---|---|
| Cultivation: | 24 |
| Processor | 16 |
| Dispensary | 52 |
| County population in 2019 | 303,940 |
| Basic Demographic Information | |
| Resources include the US Census Bureau, City-Data.com, and any additional relevant resources. | |
| Total # of Counties | 88 |
| Total # of Cities/Towns | 2,239 cities, towns, and villages, and 904 special districts |
Cincinnati
32
Median Age
$46K
Medial Income
$170K
Median Home Price
$775/Month
Fair Market Rent
City of Cleveland
35
Median Age
$42K
Medical Income
$205K
Median Home Price
$725M
Fair Market Rent
381,009
Country Population in 2019
Business Climate
Overall, the majority of the state has embraced the formal legalization of medical cannabis and continues to consider passage of Ohio cannabis recreational use. With few notable exceptions, licensing of all cannabis operations continues to be moving at a reasonable pace when application windows open.
Considerations for potential operators in the State of Ohio includes Employment Contracts and Union Organizing in this Right to work work.
Considerations for potential operators in the State of Ohio includes Employment Contracts and Union Organizing in this Right to work work.
Real Estate & Zoning
There are applicable restrictions for certain Ohio cannabis license types with regard to geographic proximity to prohibited businesses. For instance, a dispensary may not be less than 500 feet from a school, church, public library, public playground, or public park. Additionally, local municipalities may choose to impose further zoning laws. Further restrictions include that applicants may only submit one Ohio cannabis license application per land parcel and are required to have control over any parcel for which they apply, either by ownership or lease.
Note: Testing lab and processor provisional licensees have six months to build their facilities and pass a state inspection before beginning operations.
Note: Testing lab and processor provisional licensees have six months to build their facilities and pass a state inspection before beginning operations.
Interested in obtaining a Medical Marijuana Facility License in Ohio and unsure where to start?
Ohio cannabis license applications for new Ohio cannabis license applicants are not currently being accepted however this could change as the state's medical marijuana program matures. Cannabis License Experts can help make sure your team is prepared for when this process reopens, please reach out to us today to inquire about business planning for future application rounds.
Not sure what license type is right for you? CLE can assist in developing a preliminary business and feasibility plan.
Not sure what license type is right for you? CLE can assist in developing a preliminary business and feasibility plan.
City of Columbus
32
Median Age
$57K
Medical Income
$173K
Median Home Price
$980M
Fair Market Rent
898,553
Country Population in 2019
One-Stop Business Solutions Provider
When you partner with CLE, you are able to leverage our proven knowledge and best industry resources to provide you a complete Cannabis Business Solution.
- LICENSING
- REAL ESTATE SEARCH
- DESIGN & BUILD
- SECURITY
- DIGITAL MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
- EQUIPMENT TENDERING
- INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION
- Banking & Insurance
- Merger & Acquisitions
- Private Label Manufacturing
- Micro-Grow Franchising
- Human Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Are edibles legal in Ohio?
Yes, Ohio permits the sale of cannabis edibles to medical card holders within the state. Edibles are permitted to be produced by medical marijuana processors and are to be distributed in 10 mg servings. Currently 37 medical marijuana processors have received licensing and are operational.
How do you get a cultivation license in Ohio?
Ohio is not currently accepting applications for medical marijuana grower licenses. Ohio’s last round of applications closed in 2017, the state has not issued any additional medical marijuana grower licenses since. To keep updated on Ohio’s application progress please subscribe to our newsletter.
Is Ohio currently accepting dispensary license applications?
No, Ohio is not currently accepting applications for any cannabis license type. Ohio most recently issued a 2nd RFA to issue up to 73 additional medical cannabis dispensary licenses, this lottery based application process closed on November 18th, 2022. At this time Ohio has not indicated that they will be issuing any additional licenses.
What is commercial cannabis cultivation and processing?
Cannabis cultivation is the process of growing cannabis within a regulated environment for the consumption via a medical or adult-use cannabis program. Generally cultivation refers to the agricultural activities associated with the propagation and growing of cannabis. Cannabis processing is when you manufacture finished cannabis products, packaging of dried flowers or manufacture and package cannabis-based products (i.e. extracts, edibles, and topicals). To be able to produce cannabis and cannabis derived products commercially a specific license is required, requirements depend on the state in which you are locating this business.
How much will I need to spend for a cannabis cultivation license and facility?
The fees for a cannabis cultivation license vary greatly depending on the state in which the facility is to be located. Also facility build out costs vary greatly depending on the type of cannabis cultivation facility (indoor, mixed-light green house, outdoor). Depending on the facility type a cultivation facility can range from 2 million to 20 million dollars.
Can licensed cannabis operators do business in states they are not licensed in?
No, because cannabis is not federally legal in the United States cannabis and cannabis products which may be legal at a state level cannot travel interstate. Cannabis and cannabis products created in a state must be dispensed through licensed retailers within that state.
Don't Know Where To Begin? Get Started Now
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis at the state level and new jurisdictions are consistently developing ordinance’s designing the framework for licensing at the local level.
CLE can develop a preliminary business and feasibility plan to help give an understanding of business viability within the local climate. We also provide you with insights and develop strategies with respect to facility design, construction, security compliance and digital marketing to get you sales ready.
In order to get started, reach out to one of our regulatory experts today to learn more about Cannabis Business Solutions.
