A look at new proposed rules for Ohio's recreational marijuana law
Legalized marijuana sales are one step closer to becoming a reality in Ohio as the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Cannabis (DCC) recently introduced new regulations for recreational marijuana sales in the state.
The rules, filed on April 3, address who can enter a dispensary and ensure only those over 21 can access the facility, except marijuana patients. The new rules also address security, quality assurance, and waste disposal.
It also lays out how someone can buy cannabis and paraphernalia online at cannabis websites and pick it up in person. All that would be required is for the person to show identification when picking it up. No home delivery has been mentioned in the proposals.
Additionally, self-serve kiosks could be on the table as long as they're on the physical premises of the facility selling the marijuana. Drive-up windows are also allowed in the proposed rules.
Like other businesses, curbside pick-up will be included as long as the dispensary owns the area that includes this option.
Businesses selling marijuana and other cannabis products are prohibited from operating a facility within 500 feet of a school, public library, public playground, or public park.
Another major section of the proposal addresses how to dispose of cannabis waste. It specifies that it must be rendered unusable and tracked in the state's seed-to-sale tracking system.
The rules require businesses to dispose of all unwanted, outdated, excess, or deteriorated cannabis under video surveillance. The cannabis being removed needs to be weighed and recorded for the tracking system.
It also details how the cannabis needs to be rendered unusable, which is to mix various other products by at least 51% in the mixture. This includes things like paper, cardboard, and food waste. Stems, stalks, leaves, and roots must also be removed.
Record keeping of product destruction is also mandated, and businesses must track how, why, and when products were destroyed, the tracking information for the waste, and the volume/weight of the waste.
Last year, more than 50% of voters approved the sale of legal marijuana in Ohio.
Now, the DCC is getting ready to approve the first round of dispensary licenses by September 7 for existing medical marijuana dispensaries looking to get a dual-use license to sell to recreational customers.
None of these rules have been finalized, and members of the public have until April 17 to comment on them. Comments can be sent to DCCRules@com.ohio.gov and CSIPublicComments@governor.ohio.gov.
Here is the complete list of new regulations below:
