Ohio Cannabis Updates
Qualifying Medical Conditions Expanded: The Ohio State Medical Board expanded the number of qualifying medical conditions to include patients suffering from Huntington’s disease, spasticity or severe muscle spasms, and those diagnosed with a terminal illness. Earlier this year, Ohio also included arthritis, chronic migraines, and complex regional pain syndrome. However, petitions to include autism spectrum disorder and restless leg syndrome were rejected.
With these new qualifying medical conditions, the number of patients in the state’s medical cannabis access program is expected surpass the 207,105 current registrants.
Additional 73 Medical Cannabis Dispensary Licenses: With the patient count growing, Ohio is expected to issue 73 additional dispensary licenses, bringing the total number to 130 across the state. The application process is expected to open this summer and applicants will be held to the same requirements during the 2017 round. Since each company is limited to holding five dispensary licenses, all qualifying applications will be entered into a lottery according to district. With industry experts projecting a potential $400 million market this year—nearly double the size in 2020—the state has become an attractive market to many MSOs, including Cresco, Columbia Care, Curaleaf, Green Thumb Industries, Harvest Health & Recreation, PharmaCann, and Verano Holdings who are already active in the state.
New Guidance issued on Delta-8: As the only currently active state to set a THC limit for medical marijuana products, Ohio’s recent guidance requiring licensees to test for delta-8 THC and include its amount in the calculation for total THC has caused much confusion. As a recap, Ohio requires all medical marijuana products to undergo testing for delta-9 THC compounds, both delta-9 THC and delta-9 THC-a, with total THC count capped at 70%. However, until recently, delta-8 was not required to be listed on the product’s label or included in the total THC calculation. This may have only a small impact, however, as delta-8 is naturally only found in trace amounts in cannabis plants, though may be concentrated through the manufacturing process.
Delta-8 has sparked much debate on its legality and eleven states, including Colorado and Arizona, have banned it entirely. Proponents state that since delta-8 is largely derived from hemp, its legal under the Farm Bill. However, opposers claim the extra step of deriving delta-8 from CBD makes it “synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinols” which remains a Schedule I controlled substance per the DEAs interim rule issued last year. The Ohio Department of Agriculture, responsible for regulating hemp, is waiting on an official DEA ruling before implementing rules on delta-8 THC products sold outside the medical marijuana program.
Local Decriminalization Efforts: The Sensible Movement Coalition (SMC) has been successful in enacting decriminalization initiatives in 22 local jurisdictions across the state. Decriminalization efforts are currently underway in Bellefontaine, Belmont, Bethesda, Bloomingdale, Brilliant, Chippewa Lake, Flushing, Gloria Glens Park, Holloway, Huntsville, Kent, Lakeview, Laurelville, Morristown, Mt. Pleasant, New Lexington, New Straitsville, Rayland, Rushville, Russell’s Point, Shadyside, St. Clairsville, Tarlton, Tiltonsville and Yorkville. Further, the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) regional Appalachia of Ohio chapter has also participated in decriminalization on local ballots throughout the state and is targeting Bridgeport, Brookside, Dillonvale, Flushing, Martins Ferry, McArthur, Murray City, Powhattan Point and Shadyside.
Simone Sandoval
Partner / Director of Licensing and Compliance
Simone focuses on cannabis licensing and compliance and has extensive experience in understanding and deciphering complex cannabis regulations. Prior to entering the cannabis industry, Simone worked in Washington, D.C. as an intern for Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36). During her time on the Hill, she worked on legislation, and researched policy on renewable energy, healthcare, and tribal relations.
About Global Go
Global Go provides sophisticated consulting services to the global cannabis and hemp industry. In tandem with strategic allies around the world, Global Go serves clients throughout the world from offices in Austin, Bogota, Chicago, Cyprus, Denver, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, New York, Palm Springs, Phoenix, Quito, São Paulo, Silicon Valley, Toronto, and Zurich. Powered by a team of cannabis industry pioneers and world-class consultants, Global Go helps leading cannabis funds and companies assess and enter new markets; acquire assets; raise capital; launch new product lines; improve SOPs; comply with regulations; implement technology and security systems; find talent; diagnose and execute solutions to growth obstacles; and apply for cannabis licenses (with a 99% success rate on over 175 cannabis license applications across the United States). Learn more at https://globalgo.consulting.