Bloom Cannabis has officially opened its doors in Athens, marking a new chapter for cannabis access in southeast Ohio. Located at 9 W Stimson Ave, just steps from Ohio University’s campus, the dispensary celebrated its soft opening at the end of September, and is now fully stocked and welcoming both medical patients and adult-use consumers.
Serving the Athens Community — and Ohio University
This new dispensary fills an important role in the Athens cannabis landscape. While there are other dispensaries in the region, Bloom’s Stimson Avenue location is the closest to Ohio University. That proximity means Bloom is positioned to serve not just students, but also staff, local residents, and the broader Athens community.
“Being right near campus means we see a lot of foot traffic,” said Kody Miller, General Manager of the Athens store. For those who drive, we have plenty of clearly marked parking along the sides of the building, plus a local lot just across the street.”
A Modern, Open-Concept Space
Bloom Athens continues the company’s move toward an open floor concept that sets it apart from older dispensary models. With an open floor plan, streamlined check-in, and interactive displays, the Athens dispensary offers a seamless and engaging experience from the moment customers walk in.
“Our Athens location is one of just three Bloom stores in Ohio with our new open floor concept,” Miller explained. “We’ve simplified check-in to make it one of the fastest in the state. Once inside, patients and customers can explore touch-screen menus, browse accessory displays, and receive personalized care from their budtender.”
Prioritizing Medical Patients
Even with adult-use legalization in Ohio, Bloom Athens is working to maintain strong support for medical marijuana patients.
“Yes, we also prioritize our medical patients.” Miller confirmed. “We have a dedicated medical line so patients can be served promptly, ensuring they receive the support and attention they need.”
Bloom also offers generous daily medical discounts:
- 25% off daily for medical patients
- 15% off for indigent patients and industry professionals
- 15% off for veterans, or 30% off for veterans who are also medical patients
- Wondergrove (Bloom’s house brand): 30% off every Wednesday
- Additional daily deals across both medical and adult-use products
“These discounts are designed to help both our medical patients and adult-use customers save while enjoying their favorite products,” said Miller. “We want to make cannabis more accessible and support all of our customers.”
A Team Trained for Compliance — and Care
Miller and Lisa Burton, Sales & Training Manager, have been focused on building a knowledgeable, compliant, and welcoming team from the ground up.
“Our priority is always compliance first, then creating an environment where our team can thrive,” Miller said. “By supporting our staff and helping them feel confident in what they do, they can focus on the customers, provide great guidance, and make the experience enjoyable for everyone.”
“Our training program is built around compassionate, customer-centered care,” Burton explained. “We combine in-depth cannabis education with personalized guidance to help every team member feel confident and knowledgable—so every guest feels supported on their cannabis journey.”
Training doesn’t stop with onboarding. Bloom partners with cultivators and vendors for regular staff education through their Lunch n’ Learn program, and features in-store education days for the patients and customers. “Our vendor partners play a vital role not only in educating and supporting our team,” Burton said, “but their visits also give our community the chance to learn, ask questions, and connect with the products and people behind them.”
Brands and Local Connections
Bloom Athens offers a carefully curated menu featuring Ohio favorites like Green Thumb Industries’ Rhythm and Incredibles, Buckeye Relief’s Willie’s Reserve, Certified Cultivators, Galenas, UB Good, and local Meigs County strains. “We’re proud to carry Meigs County as a nod to Ohio’s rich cannabis history,” Miller said.
In addition to these favorites, Bloom is excited to feature its in-house brand Wondergrove. Visitors can also explore celebrity-branded products, including Belushi’s Farm by Jim Belushi, and Khalifa Kush by Wiz Khalifa — which is sold exclusively at Bloom.
The dispensary sits adjacent to Ohio University’s Palmer Fest, an annual student-run series of summertime street fairs, placing Bloom at the heart of the community.
Education and Community Outreach
Bloom isn’t just about sales—it’s also focused on education and empowerment. The Athens location will host Patient Education Days (PEDs), where vendors meet with customers to explain products and answer questions. Customers can also schedule free virtual consultations through Bloom’s website for one-on-one guidance.
“With a college community like Athens, education is key,” Miller said. “Surprisingly, a lot of younger customers still don’t know much about cannabis. We’re here to close that gap, answer questions, and make sure people feel confident in their choices.”
Bloom offers free complimentary consultations that can be scheduled online at https://bloommarijuana.com/oh/online-consultations, or by calling the dispensary. These virtual sessions make cannabis education more accessible and allow individuals to learn from the comfort of their own home.
Payment and Convenience
Bloom Athens accepts cash, debit cards, Aeropay, and offers an on-site ATM. Online ordering is available, making it easy for customers to place pickup orders in advance. Miller noted that the dispensary is already seeing a lot of foot traffic from students. For those with transportation, ample free parking is available in the lot to the right of the store and also in a back alleyway.
Setting the Vibe
At the end of the day, Bloom Athens wants to strike a balance between professionalism and approachability. The vibe is professional but relaxed, warm, approachable and inclusive.
“Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where every visitor feels at ease,” Miller said. “Whether you’re exploring cannabis for the first time or a seasoned enthusiast, we want you to feel comfortable and supported.”
Burton agrees. “Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where every visitor feels at ease. We pride ourselves on fast, friendly service and a highly knowledgeable team that takes the time to understand each customer’s needs and guide them toward the right products. We’re just excited to bring Bloom to Athens. Whether you’re a first timer or a regular cannabis consumer, our team is here to help you feel comfortable and confident in your experience. So stop in and say hi. We’d love to meet you,” Burton said.
Visit Bloom Athens: Ribbon Cutting Oct 23rd at noon
A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held on October 23rd at noon.
📍 Bloom Dispensary – Athens
9 W Stimson Ave, Athens, OH 45701
🌐 bloommarijuana.com/oh/online-consultations
