Several state and local officials in Ohio have called for a freeze on state-issued medical marijuana growers’ licenses after it was learning that one of the consultants hired to grade the applications is a convicted drug dealer.
The reviewer is 33 year old Trevor C. Bozeman.
State Auditor Dave Yost remarked to the Enquirer, “It’s possible that this just looks horrible and there’s not a problem, but I wouldn’t put money on that.”
“It seems to me at the very least we could hit the pause button on this and evaluate whether the process is on the up-and-up,” Yost said. “We’re seeking information on exactly what was done and what should have been done.”
It was last week that the state’s Department of Commerce had awarded 12 preliminary “Level 1” licenses for medical marijuana growers with up to 25,000 square feet of growing space.
Lt. Governor Mary Taylor remarked on Bozeman’s criminal background and said, “I am outraged that a convicted drug dealer played a major role in determining who was suitable to receive a license. At a minimum, the integrity of the process has been called into question and it is unconscionable to imagine that this process would be allowed to continue until we have a full reckoning.”
CannAscend, who is headed by Jimmy Gould, had planned to build a marijuana production facility in Wilmington. The company’s legal team is preparing to appeal.
Gould asked, “Did the Department of Commerce not think it important to check and report the fact that at least one of the scorers of the Medical Marijuana Control Program, had a criminal record for dealing drugs, and potentially other brushes with the law? If not, why not?”
“The failure to disclose this fact, when there is incredible concern over significant irregularities uncovered in the Cultivation Application process is quite concerning, and should be the subject of a government oversight investigation,” he added.
