Marijuana sales for non-medical users should begin soon

SANDUSKY — Medical marijuana dispensaries in Erie County are, apparently, close to being able to begin recreational marijuana sales. As of Friday, a state database showed that three local operations all have received provisional dual-use dispensary licenses. This would allow them to sell recreational marijuana as well as medical marijuana. They are: • Ascend Cannabis, 6019 Milan Road (U.S. 250), Sandusky • The Forest Dispensary, 5020 Milan Road (U.S. 250), Sandusky • Firelands Scientific Dispensary, 2300 University Drive E., Huron Each entity, however, must first pass final inspections before individually receiving a certificate of operation to begin sales to non-medical customers. Statewide, as of Friday, no certificates of operation have been issued. Emily Davenport, general manager of The Forest, said she expects that to happen within days. "Everything on our end is ready to go," Davenport said. Provision dual-use certificates also had been issued as of Friday for the Firelands Scientific cultivation and processing operations in Huron. The cultivation license and processing licenses are for a nearby facility on University Drive. Ohio's Division of Cannabis Control indicated on Friday that, as of the close-of-business Wednesday, 244 medical marijuana dispensaries had applied for dual-use permits to sell recreational marijuana, too. The division also has received 190 applications for additional dispensaries. So far, the division has notified 182 facilities of all kinds that they have qualified for provisional licenses. That includes 104 dispensaries, 39 processors, 33 cultivators and six testing labs.