COLUMBUS, Ohio — More than three months since Ohioans voted to pass Issue 2, there is still no legal avenue to purchase cannabis in the state.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control Board has proposed new rules that would allow medical marijuana dispensaries to apply for dual-use licenses and sell recreational marijuana.
Nilendu Singh is the general manager at Nar Dispensary in downtown Columbus. He is eager for a license to sell recreational marijuana.
“We are ready to implement it overnight. I think that is where a lot of dispensaries are at too and Nar reserve is no different. The moment we get that license or we know we are getting it, we will be ready to roll it out that day,” Singh said.
He said the lack of vendors for recreational marijuana has been a source of confusion.
“We get phone calls all day long from people asking if we sell recreationally, and people don’t know, and that is the biggest problem,” he said.
Meanwhile, possible changes to the marijuana laws continue to be discussed in the House and Senate.
Gov. Mike DeWine has urged lawmakers to pass House Bill 86, which would allow recreational marijuana to be sold and increase the tax rate to 15%.
At Nar, Singh said he has been keeping a close eye on the progress.
“Whenever there is a session, we put the TVs on we are trying to be as up to date and up to speed as we can be,” Singh said.
The state is looking to make applications available to medical dispensaries by June and distribute licenses by September.