Ohio Cannabis News

Ashtabula County, Ohio has joined the growing ranks of local jurisdictions that have opted out of enforcing cannabis laws in light of hemp’s newly legal status.

The Ohio Agriculture Department has planted a pilot hemp crop so officials can practice hemp cultivation and lab testing procedures in preparation for the state’s hemp market launch expected next year.

Ohio is the latest state to legalize hemp cultivation and CBD product manufacturing; the bill had been overwhelmingly approved by the state’s legislative bodies and was signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine on Tuesday.

Standard Wellness has issued Ohio’s first medical cannabis product recall on its THC-infused water-soluble drops after patients alerted the company that some bottles contained dark-colored debris; so far, no adverse effects or illness related to the polluted drops have been reported.

Ohio state lawmakers have approved legislation legalizing in-state hemp cultivation and the manufacturing of CBD products including cosmetics, dietary supplements, and pet products.

Ohio regulators are investigating two cannabis companies accused of lying on their license applications and violating the state’s cannabis industry rules.

Only about half of Ohio’s registered medical cannabis patients have made a purchase at a state dispensary, with most patients saying they are deterred by high prices. In fact, for many patients, it’s cheaper to drive to a dispensary in Michigan.

The Cleveland School of Cannabis announced its first physical expansion after opening two years ago will be a new campus in Columbus. The school — the only state-approved cannabis school in Ohio — recently reported tripling its revenues.

Cincinnati will become the fourth municipality in Ohio to decriminalize cannabis possession, following Dayton, Toledo, and Norwood.

With more than 30,000 patients registered to the program, Ohio’s medical cannabis market has now surpassed $5.8 million in sales since dispensaries opened on January 1.

The school — which offers courses covering all aspects of the cannabis industry — reported $1.125 million in revenues last year after just $360,000 the year prior.

After more than four months of delays, Ohio dispensaries sold cannabis to patients for the first time on Wednesday.

Medical experts will study six new conditions to see if there is sufficient evidence for adding them to the state’s medical cannabis program.