Ohio is one step closer to launching recreational marijuana sales under a legalization measure approved by voters last November, with applications now officially open for existing medical cannabis dispensaries to obtain dual licenses so they can serve patients and adult consumers alike.

The Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) is accepting the newly released applications as of Friday. This comes days after the department released informational materials to prepare prospective applicants, outlining regulatory requirements they must satisfy in order to be eligible for the hybrid license.

The sooner those applications are completed and requirements are met, the sooner adult-use marijuana sales can start—though DCC Superintendent James Canepa says the exact timeline is unclear.

That said, Canepa, who previously served as the state’s top alcohol regulator, had suggested before that businesses with dual licenses approved could begin selling to patients and recreational consumers as early as this month.

DCC Public Information Officer Jamie Crawford said officials “will review and process the applications roughly in the order that they have been received.”

“There will be no one singular day when sales begin,” he said. “We will start issuing licenses and it will be up to the retailer based on staffing, stock and other considerations

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