The group signed an option to buy 19 acres in Clinton County for a medical marijuana growing operation. The land deal is contingent on CannAscend being awarded one of the 12 large cultivator licenses from the state of Ohio later this year, Gould said.

State regulators are expected to approve cultivator rules by May 6. The license application process is expected to follow. Cultivators will be required to be ready to grow within nine months of getting their initial licenses.