COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Commerce is looking to hire an expert in growing marijuana to help write the rules for future Ohio medical marijuana cultivators. But whoever gets the contract will be held to the state’s drug-free workplace policy, which currently doesn’t allow for medical marijuana use. A department spokesman couldn’t say Friday whether the chosen contractor’s …
Lakewood & other Ohio cities block medical marijuana business licenses months before any will be awarded
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio’s medical marijuana law is a month away from taking effect and awarding marijuana business licenses is even further down the road, but Lakewood and other communities across the state are already making moves to block marijuana businesses from starting in their communities. A handful of Ohio cities have put a six-month moratorium on licensing marijuana cultivators, processors …
Could Ohio Solve the Cannabis Industry’s Cash-Only Problem?
By Omar Sacirbey Could Ohio wean the marijuana industry from its need to do business in cash? Ohio’s new medical marijuana law proposes a “closed-loop” payment processing system. It would be similar to pre-paid debit or gift cards. Regulators must still decide whether to use the system. Read more here…
Local governments dealing with concerns over Ohio’s soon-to-be legal medical marijuana
ROCKY RIVER, Ohio- Medical marijuana will soon be legal in the Buckeye State, but concerns over what that means at the local level have some cities now passing “moratoriums” and/or drawing up their own ordinances to control its sale and distribution. Rocky River’s Director of Law Andrew Bemer introduced an ordinance that would set strict guidelines within city limits after failing to get …
Ohio Marijuana Law Won’t Change Zero-Tolerance Policies
Policies may need updating to clarify that the use of medical marijuana isn’t tolerated in the workplace The use of medical marijuana for certain illnesses will soon be legal under Ohio law, but that doesn’t mean employers have to tolerate it, according to employment attorneys interviewed by SHRM Online. “The law says very specifically that employers still have the …
Ohio medical marijuana amendment backers had little cash, campaign finance report shows
The national group pushing a medical marijuana ballot measure in Ohio never came close to raising enough money to run a statewide campaign. Marijuana Policy Project’s Ohio political action committee, Ohioans for Medical Marijuana, raised $473,822 during the first half of the year, campaign finance reports filed with the state Friday show. The PAC spent $767,000 during that time, mostly …
Small businesses prepare for Ohio medical marijuana market months before regulations announced
The rules for Ohio’s medical marijuana growers and dispensaries are months away from being written, but entrepreneurs are already eyeing the future market here. Dozens of marijuana and cannabis-related business names have been registered with the state since the legislature passed Ohio’s medical marijuana law in late May. Existing Ohio companies are considering how they can service the marijuana industry. …
Interested in the marijuana business? One-day ‘crash courses’ coming to Ohio
Legalized medical marijuana is coming soon to Ohio, and Marijuana Business Daily is bringing its “crash course” here to inform potential entrepreneurs. “We chose Ohio because of the potential for the industry,” said Editorial Director Chris Walsh. The Marijuana Business Crash Course will be held in Cleveland Aug. 17 and Cincinnati Aug. 19. It’s a good opportunity for entrepreneurs on …
Ohio Medical Marijuana won’t have distribution system for 18-24 months
 Patients with qualifying medical conditions or their caregivers must register with the state and receive a patient identification card to be eligible to use marijuana under the Ohio law. An interesting point about the law is that it doesn’t allow smoking of marijuana, Russo noted. It allows the use of marijuana in the form of oils, edibles, tinctures or vapor. …
Ohio Governor Signs Bill Amending Driver’s License Suspension Policy For Drug Offenders
On June 13th Governor John Kasich signed legislation, Senate Bill 204, into law so that certain drug offenses are no longer punishable by a mandatory loss of one’s driver’s license. House lawmakers previously approved the legislation in a 95 to 2 vote while Senate lawmakers unanimously approved the legislation. Under previous law, any drug conviction carried a mandatory driver’s license …