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The Ohio Board of Pharmacy received 370 applications for the 60 medical marijuana dispensary licenses. There were 60 applications for five licenses allocated to Franklin County, 55 applications for Cuyahoga County’s five licenses, 22 applications for three licenses in Summit County, 19 applications for three licenses in Montgomery County, 18 applications for two licenses in Lucas County, and 17 applications for three licenses in Hamilton County.

Based upon application statistics in other states, there should have been 10 applicants for each license, or 600 total applicants. Market saturation on medical marijuana does not explain the discrepancy, leaving some questions about the application process.

Ohio applicants submitted their appropriate forms and documents electronically. There appeared to be some problem with the Board’s computer system, though, as the November 17^th deadline was extended several times, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

It is unknown when the Board will review the applications and select the winners of the 60 provisional dispensary licenses. With the medical marijuana control program due to be operating by September 8, 2018, the Board should be moving quickly, as they will be issuing 310 Notices of Intent to Deny the Applications. Any applicant denied a license has the right to a hearing.

If you have any questions about the regulation of medical marijuana in Ohio, or how to become licensed, you should consider contacting an attorney at Graff & McGovern. John Izzo of Graff & McGovern can be reached at 614-228-5800, extension 5, or johnizzo@grafflaw.com.