Ohio’s top cannabis regulator anticipates there could be up to 250 to 300 marijuana dispensaries selling product for adult-use by September 2026.
James Canepa, superintendent of the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, said his estimate is based on language 57% of voters approved in November when Ohioans legalized recreational marijuana for those 21 and older. The initiated statute — a voter approved law — still could be altered by the state legislature. So far, bills have made it through various parts of the legislative process but nothing has passed.
Canepa told a group gathered for a recreational marijuana discussion at the Columbus Metropolitan Club on Wednesday that his marching orders are to stand up a recreational program under the provisions of the initiated statute, and adjust and make changes if the legislature ends up passing a bill to alter the initiated statute.
The Ohio Senate passed changes supported by Gov. Mike DeWine late last year, but the Ohio House has not moved the bill.
If the legislature decides to alter the initiated statute, Canepa said he hopes it’s sooner rather than later: “What would be tragic is as we’re on third base, meeting these timelines, and the legislature jumps in. That would be disappointing to me.”
Under the initiated statute, all existing medical dispensaries would get an adult-use license by Sept. 8. Currently there are 120 medical dispensaries in Ohio, with a handful that haven’t yet passed a final state inspection and been given a certificate to operate and open their doors.
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