Inside the Launch of Recreational Weed in Ohio: Prices, Demand, and More
Recreational sales officially launched in Ohio on August 6th, and stores experienced lines out the door and down the street. Following the approval of Issue 2 by Ohio voters in November 2023, Ohio becomes the 24th U.S. state to offer recreational marijuana, ushering in a new era for residents aged 21 and over. As we get used to the new normal, there are a few things to understand.
Here’s everything you need to know about the differences between medical and recreational dispensaries, pricing, dispensary locations, and what it means for recreational users.
A Quick Look Back at Ohio's Cannabis Journey
The best stories start at the beginning. Back in 2016, Ohio established its medical marijuana program. After several years of medical sales, residents voted to legalize recreational marijuana last November by passing Issue 2, with 57% of voters supporting the measure.
Since November, the government has been moving extremely quickly to establish the regulatory framework to launch the program on time. The way Ohio handled it was quick and efficient. Some states have been waiting several years just to get medical programs up and running. Ohioans know how that feels.
The legislation in Ohio allows state-licensed dispensaries to sell marijuana to adults over 21, though it’s unclear if more licenses will be awarded in the future. For now, dispensaries selling medical marijuana applied to sell rec weed, and several dispensaries experienced a huge influx of people buying recreational weed legally for the first time.
The First Day of Recreational Sales in Ohio
The first day of recreational marijuana sales in Ohio was nothing short of historic, filled with excitement and long lines. Across the state, dispensaries opened their doors to massive crowds of eager customers, all ready to make their very first legal purchases.
In Cincinnati, the honor of making the first legal purchase of recreational marijuana in Ohio went to Jeff Riede, a 55-year-old resident of Madisonville. Riede camped out in his car overnight outside the Sunnyside dispensary on Kennedy Avenue to ensure he would be the first in line when the store opened at 7 a.m.
“Yeah, I slept in my car,” Riede said, grinning. “This is pretty epic to me. I wanted to be the first one here.“ Having smoked marijuana since he was 18, Riede expressed relief that he no longer had to worry about the risks associated with the black market. “It’s just safer at the dispensary,” he noted. “You don’t have to worry about getting robbed or about it being laced with something that might hurt you.”
Throughout the state, the atmosphere at dispensaries was a mix of celebration and anticipation. At Bloom Medicinals in Columbus, a line of about 20 people formed before the doors opened at 8 a.m. As customers exited the store, many raised their fists in triumph, eliciting cheers from those still waiting in line.
In Westerville, the line at Truelieve wrapped around the building, with employees moving through the crowd to check customers in and answer questions. “It’s just exciting seeing people from literally every walk of life, every different background,” said Kyle Schrader as he waited to enter the store. “People are extremely happy and excited. Everyone’s in a really good mood.”
While some locations, like Nar Reserve in Columbus, experienced slower starts, the anticipation was still high. Ali Bazzi, managing partner at Nar Reserve, mentioned, “Once word gets out, as the lines start going, we think it’s going to keep getting busier.” The dispensary had prepared for the rush by bringing in extra staff and ensuring they had enough product to meet demand.
Despite the occasional long line, customers were ultimately more than satisfied with their purchases. Michael Hawkins, 46, who paid $40 for 2.8 grams of flower, noted, “You don’t have to buy from no shady characters no more. I know I’m paying for what I’m getting.”
Pricing Will Likely Be An Issue for the Foreseeable Future
I know what you’re thinking— $40 is absurd for less than an eighth of weed. And you’re not alone. One of the largest pain points for many of the customers who showed up on day one was the price difference between medical and recreational weed. At the end of the day, they’re pretty much the exact same products, but because of their availability, they’re taxed and priced differently.
Recreational cannabis sales are subject to a 10% excise tax in addition to the standard state sales tax. On the other hand, patients shopping on the medical side typically pay lower overall taxes on their purchases.
The additional tax burden on recreational sales, along with the huge spike in demand for newly recreational marijuana, has driven the prices way up. UC Blue Ash economics professor Keshar Ghimire noted, “The flower is about five times more expensive in Ohio right now, and edibles are almost double what’s available in Michigan. It’s not really surprising at all.”
The truth is this is to be expected in every new recreational market. David Craig, CMO of Illicit and From the Earth dispensaries, said the prices are going to be higher at first but that the market will correct itself.
“It’s like a blackout date in terms of, like, going to Disneyland on the Fourth of July or going to a cannabis dispensary on 420,” he said. “This whole first month or two is going to feel like 420, and you’re going to have these just huge rushes as people want to buy cannabis. There’s a lag behind the industry catching up to the demand for recreational purchases.”
“Hopefully, in the next few months, stuff will go down,” said Gavin McKenney, general manager of Bloom Medicinals in Columbus. “With sales tax as of now and product availability, you see what happens.”
For now, Ohioans should be prepared for higher costs compared to other states, but industry experts anticipate that these elevated prices will eventually decrease as the market stabilizes and more dispensaries begin operations.
Where to Find Recreational Marijuana in Ohio
As of the launch, 98 dispensaries across Ohio received licenses to sell recreational marijuana. These dispensaries are spread throughout the state, but you’ll find more of them concentrated in the bigger cities like Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland. These locations previously operated as medical dispensaries and have now expanded their offerings to include recreational products.
“It feels good to know you can get it, and it’s actually safe, you know,” said Cameron Gregory, 26, who ran to The Botanist in Columbus right after work.
A Great Sign for the Future
For Ohio residents, the availability of recreational marijuana represents a new level of convenience and legal security. Adults can now purchase up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis or grow up to six plants at home, allowing for personal use without the legal risks previously associated with marijuana possession. Ohio’s rules for possession of small amounts of cannabis were some of the most rigid in the country.
Which is part of the reason why, for most people, it’s seen as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the plant’s popularity and benefits. Weed has always been used in Ohio. But now, people don’t have to worry about going to jail for it.
For many, this day felt like it was a long time coming. “It feels like I’m being treated as an adult, as opposed to a criminal,” said Troy Stanley, 50, who was waiting in line at The Botanist. “I’ve been persecuted and prosecuted for the last 40 years over something that should have been made legal a long time ago.”
However, with the new system come challenges. Prices are currently higher than in some neighboring states, and supply shortages may occur as the market adjusts to increased demand. That said though, this happens in every newly legal market, and allowing it to correct itself will make cannabis more accessible in the future. As more dispensaries are awarded recreational licenses, prices will likely go down.
Despite these growing pains, the launch went off pretty well. Residents appreciate the safety and legality of being able to buy weed in their home state instead of having to travel to Michigan for legal cannabis. One of the main reasons Ohio pushed for rec was to bring some vital tax dollars back to the state, as it was being lost to Michigan as Ohio residents purchased legal products across the border.
Michigan was a large contributor to Ohio’s cannabis black market before legalization, and it’s nice to finally breathe a collective sigh of relief. No more cannabis persecution; safe, legal products and a functional, taxable program are a win-win for everyone.
13 thoughts on “Inside the Launch of Recreational Weed in Ohio: Prices, Demand, and More”
I did not vote for low potency pot. I’ve been to 2 different Dispensaries and I only get a slight buzz from either one. My bought container of recreational pot stated that this product is for medical only. Is Ohio trying to pass medical pot off as recreational? Why can’t I get high? Is someone talking about changing the potency limits to no limits? Is it just me or are you guys also having the same thoughts? Are you getting stoned or not?
Ohio isn’t going to make it work like Michigan until they match the price!!
Supply and demand is BS!!!
Supply is the same as it was and demand hasn’t grown whatsoever, I guarantee there wasn’t any line out the door people aren’t going to pay twice as much for less than half the product they can get up north!!!
So dewine and others involved your not fooling anyone, just making fools of yourself!!
Come on at least sell the correct weight,1/8 3.5 grams. Not 2.58 1/4 is 7 not 5.6!!! I know most of the bigger cities are filled with rich jerk offs an are greedy, but middle class are the ones going to dispensaries in Ohio and aren’t going to pay the prices here, we will continue to go up north!!!
still and will continue to go to Michigan, Ohio is greedy. DeWine and company are greedy…..
Support you local home growers!
The price is getting to high ,don’t wanna go back to pain pills this bs, they are rolling up the green!!
The cost increases and lack of coupon stacking for indigent started in March. It’s only gotten worse! I haven’t been able to afford the Dispo since then. Like many other Med patients, I’m back to the black market, not getting the product I legitimately need.
Screw you, DeWhiner!
I’m going through the same thing myself.
For not wanting to ‘reinvent the wheel ‘ Ohio did the opposite . For 1 they have had plenty of time to clone the stores from the other states layout . Why cant I see it in an opened package and smell it ? What’s up with the 10th weight system . Seems in plain ole English that the State of Ohio has another form of profits from what was illegal ( gambling is the other ) . With that mindset from the MAN , the man has no clue what they are doing because I and many other Ohioans will keep the street market alive and well .
Continue to go to Michigan… twice the amount for half the price!
GO TO THAT STATE UP NORTH !!! uck these GREEDY bastards in OHIO !!
Prices have gone up tho, not just on the rec side, but drastically on the medical side. My local dispensary also got ride of the ability to stack discounts for veterans/disabled/indigent patients, so that was basically also a 20% raise in prices if you were already using sale days as your primary shopping days.
I know, prices are way too high. Been using the medical and now it has go so far up they are going to drive people back to “black market”.
We go to Michigan, save your money until the prices go down. If they do..