So You Want To Get In The Marijuana Business? Here's How Under ResponsibleOhio's Plan

[Jacob Redmond]

The latest proposal to legalize marijuana in Ohio has one key feature that, to the detriment of the cause, has defined it so far in the minds of Ohio voters and critics.

ResponsibleOhio's plan would restrict rights to grow the marijuana for Ohio's retail and medicinal markets to 10 specified sites backed by the organization's investors.

Many, including me, have used the term "monopoly" to describe the plan but ResponsibleOhio begs to differ.

Spokeswoman Lydia Bolander said pot production, while limited, is only one of several parts to its plan and that anyone who wants to partake in the legal marijuana market — should the plan pass — could do so.

"I don't think it's a fair characterization," she said of the monopoly tag. "There are numerous other ways for people to get involved."

Bolander also said that the while pot production initially will be limited to the 10 sites, the proposed Ohio Marijuana Control Commission will have the authority to add more if demand warrants after four years. That alone makes ResponsibleOhio's plan different from the ballot initiative that brought casino gambling to the state, a comparison many critics have made. The grow houses also will compete with each other, Bolander said, and the commission will be able to revoke any grower's license.

"When I hear the word 'monopoly,' Bolander said, "(it conveys) that no one has a check on that authority."

So about those other ways to get into the marijuana market. Here are your options under ResponsibleOhio's proposed constitutional amendment: You can either start a retail pot shop, a medical dispensary, a testing facility or a product manufacturing site. (The investor groups for the grow houses are set.)

In all those cases, the proposed Ohio Marijuana Control Commission will decide who gets licenses so you'll have to apply. All but the dispensaries require annual license fees: $10,000 for retail shops and testing facilities and $25,000 for processing centers. The grow houses' annual fee is $50,000 on top of a $100,000 initial license fee.

The number of retail pot shops will be capped statewide at a ratio of one per 10,000 Ohioans, or 1,159 based on Ohio's population of 11.59 million. The commission will determine the number in any political precinct, and you'll also have to get approval from voters, much like liquor issues on local ballots.

Bolander said there's no set limit for medical dispensaries since they're expected to be far fewer in number.

And you don't need to be a medical professional since operators won't be involved in getting patients the needed certification to qualify to buy from the nonprofit centers.

If you want in on the supply side, you can apply to open a testing facility or a processing center. The amendment calls for half a dozen testing centers near universities across Ohio, which Bolander said was because of an expectation schools may want to get involved in research. Their main task will be to certify the safety and potency of the pot being sold to shops.

The role of the processing centers will be take the pot from the grow houses, turn it into edibles and any other THC-infused products they can come up with, and sell them to the retail shops and dispensaries. Their number won't be capped.

ResponsibleOhio also will allow Ohioans to grow up to four plants for personal use, but you can't sell the weed (and you'll have to get a $50 license). You can have up to eight ounces of pot for personal use in your possession.

Finally, the amendment also calls for establishing a "marijuana innovation and business incubator" in Cuyahoga County to provide support to Ohio-based businesses, universities, medical centers and research institutions.

News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Is ResponsibleOhio?s plan a monopoly? It says no. Here?s how to get involved in the pot business - Columbus - Columbus Business First
Author: Doug Buchanan
Contact: dbuchanan@bizjournals.com
Photo Credit: Matilde Campodonico
Website: Business News - The Business Journals

 

[art fog]

Re: So You Want To Get In The Marijuana Business? Here's How Under ResponsibleOhio's

The latest proposal to legalize marijuana in Ohio has one key feature that, to the detriment of the cause, has defined it so far in the minds of Ohio voters and critics.

ResponsibleOhio's plan would restrict rights to grow the marijuana for Ohio's retail and medicinal markets to 10 specified sites backed by the organization's investors.

Many, including me, have used the term "monopoly" to describe the plan but ResponsibleOhio begs to differ.

Spokeswoman Lydia Bolander said pot production, while limited, is only one of several parts to its plan and that anyone who wants to partake in the legal marijuana market — should the plan pass — could do so.

"I don't think it's a fair characterization," she said of the monopoly tag. "There are numerous other ways for people to get involved."

Bolander also said that the while pot production initially will be limited to the 10 sites, the proposed Ohio Marijuana Control Commission will have the authority to add more if demand warrants after four years. That alone makes ResponsibleOhio's plan different from the ballot initiative that brought casino gambling to the state, a comparison many critics have made. The grow houses also will compete with each other, Bolander said, and the commission will be able to revoke any grower's license.

"When I hear the word 'monopoly,' Bolander said, "(it conveys) that no one has a check on that authority."

So about those other ways to get into the marijuana market. Here are your options under ResponsibleOhio's proposed constitutional amendment: You can either start a retail pot shop, a medical dispensary, a testing facility or a product manufacturing site. (The investor groups for the grow houses are set.)

In all those cases, the proposed Ohio Marijuana Control Commission will decide who gets licenses so you'll have to apply. All but the dispensaries require annual license fees: $10,000 for retail shops and testing facilities and $25,000 for processing centers. The grow houses' annual fee is $50,000 on top of a $100,000 initial license fee.

The number of retail pot shops will be capped statewide at a ratio of one per 10,000 Ohioans, or 1,159 based on Ohio's population of 11.59 million. The commission will determine the number in any political precinct, and you'll also have to get approval from voters, much like liquor issues on local ballots.

Bolander said there's no set limit for medical dispensaries since they're expected to be far fewer in number.

And you don't need to be a medical professional since operators won't be involved in getting patients the needed certification to qualify to buy from the nonprofit centers.

If you want in on the supply side, you can apply to open a testing facility or a processing center. The amendment calls for half a dozen testing centers near universities across Ohio, which Bolander said was because of an expectation schools may want to get involved in research. Their main task will be to certify the safety and potency of the pot being sold to shops.

The role of the processing centers will be take the pot from the grow houses, turn it into edibles and any other THC-infused products they can come up with, and sell them to the retail shops and dispensaries. Their number won't be capped.

ResponsibleOhio also will allow Ohioans to grow up to four plants for personal use, but you can't sell the weed (and you'll have to get a $50 license). You can have up to eight ounces of pot for personal use in your possession.

Finally, the amendment also calls for establishing a "marijuana innovation and business incubator" in Cuyahoga County to provide support to Ohio-based businesses, universities, medical centers and research institutions.

News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Is ResponsibleOhio?s plan a monopoly? It says no. Here?s how to get involved in the pot business - Columbus - Columbus Business First
Author: Doug Buchanan
Contact: dbuchanan@bizjournals.com
Photo Credit: Matilde Campodonico
Website: Business News - The Business Journals

Thank you for posting this more people have to get involved. Here is my attempt at a point of view.

I see your point about the monopoly but where is there to start. This clock has been ticking long enough. I do not have the income to debate the issue but from this poor fools perspective it is a start. I would like to be on the supply side as in "grow house" but the cost is as you point out $50 & 100s of thousands (These outrageous figures should be negotiable) . But is supply side exclusively about "testing facility or a processing center " If so I would say the money is getting too much control as you point out a 'monopoly'.
I think that all of the above is a start and that there will be major changes in time. I realize that it is hard to change the wording of the law but even harder for a start when it is an object of thought. With the words of law there is also in a position to adjust. The real clock will tick after our feet are wet.
I do not believe that the control exerted by these few money interests will stand up to the proletariats, there are too many eyes or checking points and other spin offs such as black market. This is a (good ) beginning since nothing else has measured up.
Thanks for you input.