The launch of Ohio’s long-awaited adult-use cannabis market is set to take place tomorrow (August 06) as the state’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) gets ready to issue its first tranche of dispensary dual-licences.

After voting to legalize adult-use cannabis last November, the DCC has focused primarily on issuing licenses to cultivators, processors and testing labs, meaning that Ohians remained unable to purchase cannabis commercially through a dispensary.

In an effort to speed up the transition to an adult-use market, the DCC opted to issue ‘dual licenses’, or ‘certificates of operation’ (COOs), which enable existing medical cannabis businesses to begin selling commercially.

According to the Ohio Capital Journal, DCC spokesperson James Crawford said that the regulator would issue the first tranche of COO’s to dispensaries across the state on Tuesday.

It is understood that three Trulieve dispensaries in Beavercreek, Columbus, and Westerville, three Ohio Cannabis Company stores in Piqua, Harpster and Canton, two Sunnyside stores in Cincinnati and Wintersville, five Cannabis Company locations in Dayton, Logan, Marietta, Monroe and Warren and a further three Verilife stores in Cincinnati, Hillsboro and Wapakoneta are set to open for business this week.

Around 230 dual-license applications have been submitted to the DCC so far, with 155 already receiving ‘provisional’ approval. The regulator must approve or deny all license applications by September 07.

President of the Ohio Cannabis Coalition (OHCANN), Tom Haren, said in a statement on Friday: “Today the Ohio Cannabis Coalition (OHCANN) is thrilled to announce sales of non-medical marijuana will begin as early as next Tuesday in Ohio.

“I can’t emphasize enough the work that OHCANN members alongside DCC have put in to bring us to this day. We are stepping into a new future for Ohio where citizens will have access to safe products and communities will feel the benefits of this growing industry through tax revenue and job opportunities.”