ENON FIRM GETS LICENSE TO PROCESS MEDICAL POT

It’s the first such license approved in DaytonSpringfield region.

An Enon-based COLUMBUS — business won a medical marijuana processor’s license from the state Department of Commerce on Friday.

Purpose Leaf LLC, on Dayton-Springfield Road south of Interstate 70, is the 10th processor to receive a state license. It is the first approved processor’s license in the Dayton-Springfield region.

Processors take the harvested plant material and turn it into products such as oils, patches or edibles.

Up to 40 processor licenses will be awarded. Each applicant had to pay a $10,000 application fee. If they win a license, they’ll pay a $90,000 certificate of operation fee and then annual renewal fees of $100,000.

For the past two years, Ohio regulators and business owners have been working to set up the new medical marijuana industry to serve patients with 21 qualifying conditions, including cancer and chronic pain.

Patients and caregivers will be allowed to purchase and possess up to a 90-day supply from licensed dispensaries.

Smoking or home growing is prohibited.

Four cultivators received the go-ahead from state regulators to begin growing marijuana. The earliest product is expected to be available is late December or early January.

Joe Catanzaro, a Mad River Twp. trustee, said Friday the township will welcome any new jobs and investment that may occur as the business ramps up. He said the industry is well-regulated by the state, and as long as the company’s operations are legal local officials have no concerns with

the new business.

“If they’re going to do it and it’s legal, we’re glad to have them do it in Mad River Township,” Catanzaro said.

State officials have also approved two sites in Spring- field that will be allowed to sell medical marijuana.

Pure Wellness LLC received permission for a site at 1711 W. Main St., while Cannamed Therapeutics LLC also had a Springfield site listed at 0 Raydo Circle. The licensees are expected to open storefront operations later this year when Ohio’s new medical marijuana industry launches.