Section 3796:2-3-01 - Cultivator inspections(A) The submission of an application that results in the issuance of a provisional license or certificate of operation for a cultivator irrevocably gives the department consent to conduct all inspections necessary to ensure compliance with the cultivator's application, state and local law, Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code, and the rules promulgated in accordance with Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code. The department may conduct the inspection independently, or may work with other departments, state agencies, or local authorities, including the Ohio department of agriculture, the division of industrial compliance, and the division of state fire marshal, to ensure compliance with the cultivator's application, state and local law, Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code, and the rules promulgated in accordance with Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code.(B) An inspector conducting an inspection pursuant to this rule shall be accompanied by a type 1 key employee during the inspection. The inspector may: (1) Review and make copies of all records maintained in accordance with rule 3796:2-2-08 of the Administrative Code;(2) Enter any area in the facility, with a type 1 key employee's assistance if unaccompanied access to an area could compromise production integrity or interrupt a dark cycle during the flowering stage;(3) Inspect facility vehicles;(4) Review the policies and procedures of the cultivator, including methods of operating;(5) Survey the premises and any off-site facilities;(6) Inspect all equipment, instruments, tools, materials, machinery, or any other resource used to cultivate medical marijuana;(7) Request access to locked areas in the facility;(8) Question registered employees at the location; or(9) Obtain samples for testing of any medical marijuana cultivated at the facility, media used to grow medical marijuana, chemicals and ingredients used in the cultivation process, any labels or containers for medical marijuana, or any raw packaged medical marijuana.(C) A pre-approval inspection that is required before the department issues a certificate of operation to a cultivator possessing a provisional license pursuant to rule 3796:2-1-06 of the Administrative Code shall occur at a mutually agreeable time. The department shall rely on the facility's application, Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code, and the rules promulgated in accordance with Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code, to facilitate the inspection and ensure compliance of the facility. Upon the completion of the pre-approval inspection, the department may issue either of the following: (1) A certificate of operation in accordance with rule 3796:2-1-06 of the Administrative Code, at which point the facility will be permitted to begin operations; or(2) A written statement listing the deficiencies identified during the inspection that must be remedied before a certificate of operation will be issued by the department. (a) Upon receipt of a statement of deficiencies, the cultivator shall develop a plan of correction for each deficiency and submit the plan in writing to the department for approval within ten business days after receipt of the statement of deficiencies, unless a written extension is issued by the department.(b) The plan of correction must include specific requirements for corrective action that will be performed within either thirty calendar days after the department's acceptance of the plan of correction or the remaining time period under paragraph (B) of rule 3796:2-1-06 of the Administrative Code, whichever is greater.(c) If the plan of correction submitted is not acceptable to the department or would prevent the facility from obtaining a certificate of operation in accordance with rule 3796:2-1-06 of the Administrative Code, the department may either direct the cultivator to resubmit a plan of correction or the department may develop a directed plan of correction with which the cultivator must comply. Upon acceptance of the written plan of correction, the cultivator shall sign the plan of correction, binding the cultivator to the terms under which the cultivator may be issued a certificate of operation. If the parties are unable to come to terms on the written plan of correction, the department may take any action permitted under rule 3796:5-6-01 of the Administrative Code.(d) The department shall re-inspect a cultivator upon the completion of the written plan of correction. If the corrective measures meet the department's satisfaction, the department shall issue a certificate of operation. If the corrective measures do not meet the requirements of the written plan of correction, the department may take action in accordance with rule 3796:5-6-01 of the Administrative Code.(D) The department may, at any time it determines an inspection is needed, with or without notice, conduct an inspection of a cultivator to ensure compliance with the facility's application, state law, Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code, and the rules promulgated in accordance with Chapter 3796. of the Revised Code, in accordance with paragraph (A) of this rule. An inspection of a cultivator may include, without limitation, investigation of standards for safety from fire on behalf of the department by the local fire protection agency. If a local fire protection agency is not available, the division of state fire marshal may conduct the inspection after the cultivator pays the appropriate fee to the division of state fire marshal for such inspection.(E) Following an inspection conducted pursuant to paragraph (D) of this rule, the department shall issue an inspection report that documents the following: (1) The observations and findings of the inspections;(2) The outcome of the inspection;(3) Any suggestions for the cultivator to take into consideration; and(4) If applicable, a written statement listing the deficiencies identified during the inspection. (a) Upon receipt of statement of deficiencies, the cultivator shall develop a plan of correction for each deficiency and submit the plan in writing to the department for approval within ten business days after receipt of the statement of deficiencies, unless a written extension is issued by the department.(b) The plan of correction must include specific requirements for corrective action that will be performed within thirty calendar days of the department's acceptance of the plan. If the plan of correction submitted is not acceptable to the department, the department may either direct the cultivator to resubmit a plan of correction or the department may develop a directed plan of correction with which the cultivator must comply. Upon acceptance of the written plan of correction, the cultivator shall sign the plan of correction, binding the cultivator to the terms agreed upon by the parties. If the parties are unable to come to terms on the written plan of correction, the department may take any action permitted under rule 3796:5-6-01 of the Administrative Code.(c) The department shall re-inspect a cultivator upon the completion of the written plan of correction. If the corrective measures meet the department's satisfaction, the department shall indicate such on the inspection report and conclude the inspection. If the corrective measures do not meet the requirements of the written plan of correction, the department may take action in accordance with rule 3796:5-6-01 of the Administrative Code.(F) If an inspector finds evidence of operational failures or conditions that create a likelihood of diversion, contamination, risk to public health, or the occurrence of any prohibited activity under rule 3796:5-6-02 of the Administrative Code, the department may take immediate action authorized under rule 3796:5-6-01 of the Administrative Code.(G) To prevent destruction of evidence, diversion, or other threats to public safety, the department may order an administrative hold of medical marijuana or medical marijuana product or any books and records of any cultivator. The department may assess the costs of an investigation, including travel and the time of any and all department employees, to a cultivator.Ohio Admin. Code 3796:2-3-01
Effective: 5/6/2017
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 05/06/2022
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: R.C. 3796.03, 3796.14
Rule Amplifies: R.C. 3796.03, 3796.14