CINCINNATI — In the rapidly evolving world of legal marijuana, 2018 is poised to be one for the history books in Ohio.

In less than 10 months, some of Ohio’s sickest residents should be able to use state-issued identification cards to shop at a local dispensary for a medical marijuana product grown and made right here in the Buckeye state.

With a Sept. 8 deadline to have the Medical Marijuana Control Program fully up and running, state regulators and countless business owners face a make-or-break time crunch. Businesses that aren’t up in running in time could lose their right to operate in Ohio.

As the New Year kicks off, here’s a look at the big hurdles ahead as Ohio enters the sticky world of legal marijuana.

Ohio is expected to have one of the largest medical marijuana markets in the U.S. — with an estimated 230,000 residents expected to be eligible for the program.

Doctors who want to be certified to recommend the drug to their patients must complete two hours of training.

Read more at WCPO Cincinnati