A federal appeals court is expected to rule soon on the scope of the law that could pave the way to end or overturn at least six federal marijuana criminal prosecutions and convictions in California and Washington and limit future prosecutions of medical marijuana users and dispensaries in eight Western states that allow them. (Vince Chandler, The Denver Post)

Ohio receives 6 times more applications for medical marijuana dispensaries as they have licenses

COLUMBUS, Ohio — State officials say they’ve received more than 300 applications to operate 60 dispensaries that will sell medical marijuana.

The Ohio Board of Pharmacy said on Monday that it had received 370 applications to operate the dispensaries the state expects to have up and running in about a year. The deadline for applications was Friday.

A board spokesman says no deadline has been set for determining which businesses will get licenses to operate the dispensaries. The state application fee was $5,000.

No single company will be allowed to own more than five dispensaries.

Ohioans with one of 21 medical conditions can legally buy and use medical marijuana if it’s recommended to them by a physician.