U.S. cannabis operator Curaleaf Holdings (CSE: CURA) (OTCBB: CURLF) is preparing to open a new processing facility in Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Commerce has selected PalliaTech Ohio, the Ohio affiliate of Curaleaf, for a provisional medical cannabis processor license.

Curaleaf to Enter 13th State

Curaleaf currently operates 10 processing facilities across the country and has a presence in 12 states, including managing 42 dispensaries.

“Ohio’s medical cannabis industry is still very nascent, and we are excited about the growth opportunity in the state. We look forward to bringing our premium products and services to the medical patients of Ohio,” Curaleaf CEO Joe Lusardi said in a press statement.

“So far in 2019, Curaleaf has opened two dispensaries in Florida, one in New York, and announced a management agreement with multiple dispensaries in Maryland. Our entry into Ohio furthers our multi-state operating strategy,” Lusardi added.

Ohio Facility

The provisional license will be awarded upon successful completion of background checks of certain managers of Curaleaf’s Ohio affiliate.

Curaleaf expects the Ohio processing facility to be built out and receive its final certificate of operation within six months.