15 medical pot shops in region?
Montgomery County alone could have 4 under proposed rules.
— Southwest Ohio COLUMBUS would get 15 medical marijuana dispensaries, according to newly drafted rules released by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy
Regulators propose carving the state into four districts and placing medical marijuana dispensary shops based on the number of patients in each area, population, access to major roadways and other factors.
Here’s how many marijuana dispensaries would be allowed in local areas:
Montgomery County would be allowed four.
Clark, Champaign and Union counties would be allowed two.
Butler, Preble and Darke counties would be allowed two
Miami, Shelby and Logan counties would be allowed two.
Greene, Fayette and Madison counties would be allowed one
Warren, Clinton and Clermont counties would be allowed one Hamilton County would be
allowed three
Brown, Highland and Adams counties would be allowed one.
The Medical Marijuana Control Program also released instructions for pub-
lic colleges and universities that want to be licensed to conduct lab testing of med- ical pot products. There is no limit on lab licenses that can be issued. The state will accept com-
ment on the proposal until Aug. 11.
Meanwhile, a national trade group for the mari- juana industry is setting up an Ohio chapter as the state stands up its new medical marijuana industry. Private lab facilities will be allowed to apply for licenses after a one-year waiting period.
The National Cannabis Industry Association will hold a quarterly cannabis caucus meeting in Columbus on Thursday evening to deliver an update on federal, state and local policy issues, said NCIA Ohio Direc- tor Thomas Rosenberger. The event, free for mem- bers or $50 for non-mem- bers, is targeted for people
and businesses established or looking to get into the legal marijuana industry, he said.
The state is required by law
to have its medical marijuana program operational by September. Rosenberger said it appears Ohio regulators are on track to hit the deadline.
At the end of June, Ohio accepted 185 applications from groups vying to be awarded the 24 cultivator licenses.
The northeast area of the state, which includes Cleveland, Akron and Youngstown would be awarded the most — 18 dispensaries.
Ohio passed its medical marijuana law last year. It will allow patients with 21 medical conditions, includ
ing cancer and chronic pain, to get a doctor’s note recommending marijuana as part of their treatment.