After almost a year since voters passed Issue 2 to legalize adult-use cannabis, Ohioans 21 and older can rejoice in knowing that sales will begin Tuesday, August 6, 2024. Not all dispensaries will be opening to the public on the 6th, so MedicateOH has done some research to find where you can purchase your legal adult-use cannabis and answer some of your burning questions.

“There will be no sales over the weekend,” Jamie Crawford, a spokesman for the Division of Cannabis Control (DCC), told news outlets today. “We will provide a formal announcement on Monday.”

Where can I purchase adult-use cannabis?

MedicateOH confirmed the following dispensaries will be opening their doors to adults 21+ on Tuesday, August 6, 2024:

  1. Nar Reserve 350 E Long St., Columbus, Ohio 43215
  1. Sunnyside (5149 Kennedy Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45213180 Main St., Wintersville, OH, 43952, 326 James Way, Marion, OH 43302)
  1. Ohio Cannabis Company (8866 N. Country Rd. 25A, Piqua, Ohio 45356, 4016 Greentree Ave. SW, Canton, Ohio 44706, 17043 County Highway 113, Harpster, Ohio 43323)
  1. The Citizen by Klutch (5152 Grove Ave, Lorain, OH 44055, 401 Cherry Ave NE, Canton, OH 44702)
  1. The Botanist 3840 Greentree Ave SW Unit 4, Canton, OH 44706
  1. Backroad Wellness (3210 Rhodes Ave, New Boston, Ohio 45662, 1503 Harding Hwy, Lima, Ohio 458043210 Rhodes Ave, 5748 Glenn Hwy, Cambridge, Ohio 43725)
  1. Columbia Care (333 Wayne Avenue Dayton, Ohio 45410, 245 West Main Street Logan, Ohio 43138, 414 Greene Street Marietta, Ohio 45750)
  1. gLeaf 2932 Youngstown Rd SE, Warren, OH 44484
  2. The Forest Springfield 1711 W Main St, Springfield, OH 45504

This list is not exhaustive, so be sure to check with your local dispensary for their opening date. The DCC will make a formal announcement on Monday with a full list. 

What do I need to bring with me?

You will need to bring a VALID form of government identification with you to the dispensary to prove your legal age. You will also need to bring cash to make your purchase, UNLESS you are absolutely sure the dispensary you are going to offers alternative payment options. 

How can I pay for my cannabis?

Cash is accepted everywhere, however some locations offer debit, apple pay, and third-party app payments. There is a fee for using any debit card readers. There will also be a fee to use any ATMS on site, which varies from dispensary to dispensary. Make sure your bank account has enough funds for your purchase and any fees you might incur. 

It is also important to understand some card manufacturers have banned cannabis sales on their cards. Additionally, not all debit cards are accepted by the debit readers. People who use Chime and similar debit cards may experience trouble with the debit readers.

Please note: if you want to use one of the payment apps (SPENDR, CANPAY, DUTCHIEPAY, etc.), you will want to link your account to your bank as soon as possible, as it is not guaranteed to work right away.

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What is the tax rate for adult-use cannabis?

Every adult-use purchase will have the local sales tax, as well as a 10% excise tax, added to your total. 

Example: Columbus, Ohio’s sales tax rate is 7.5%. The total tax rate for adult-use purchases in Columbus, Ohio is 17.5%.

How much can I buy?

You are able to purchase up to a 10-day supply of cannabis per day. 

*Possession limits mean that you cannot possess more than 2.5 ounces of flower or 15g of any other form of cannabis at one time.

What should I be aware of before making my first purchase?

  • You must be 21 or older with a valid government issued ID to purchase.
  • You cannot purchase on behalf of another person.
  • You cannot exchange money at the dispensary. If you need to borrow funds from a loved one, do so before you walk in the door.
  • You cannot open your cannabis products on dispensary property – this includes the parking lot!
  • There is absolutely NO public consumption. 
  • Tipping your budtender is illegal until the program is no longer operating under the medical marijuana laws.
  • Until September 7, 2024, the adult-use program is required to operate under the medical marijuana laws. Combustion (smoking) of cannabis will remain illegal until September 7, 2024.
  • Dispensaries are required to allocate a certain amount of product for medical and adult use. Some products may only be available to medical patients due to inventory count.
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When will all the other dispensaries open?

There is no indication as to when the remaining dispensaries will receive their certificate of operation for dual-use cannabis. However, there are several medical dispensaries that have applied for a dual-use license, but exist in a city that has enforced a moratorium on adult-use cannabis sales. 

Luckily, Rise dispensaries were operating under a moratorium until July 31, 2024. With the moratorium expired, it will be interesting to see whether the city will give up the fight or if there will be more time for Lakewood residents to wait. 

Unfortunately, the citizens of Monroe have to wait until October 9, 2024 for the moratorium to expire. Additionally, Riverside has a moratorium that is not set to expire until December 21, 2024. 

Several other cities have passed a moratorium but there is no indication of when it will end.

Newark city council passed an ordinance only allowing for one dispensary in their city to become an adult-use location. 

Cities with an ACTIVE moratorium AND a CURRENT Medical Dispensary with a DUAL-USE PROVISIONAL LICENSE_Download

MedicateOH’s Tips for Success at the Dispensary

  1. Check on the dispensary’s hours of operation before making your trip.
  1. Call the dispensary to ask about their parking; some dispensaries do not have parking directly attached to their building.
  1. There are millions of Ohioans eager to purchase and there will not be enough dispensaries open to accommodate all of them. Expect long wait times until all dispensaries are operating as dual-use facilities. Be extra patient and kind to the staff at the dispensary–this is all new for them too!
  1. Arrive at the dispensary well ahead of closing time so that you can guarantee your ability to purchase that day.
  1. If the dispensary allows for it, place your order online ahead of time to reserve the product for you. Product is subject to sell out if you do not reserve it online. 

*Not all dispensaries will begin online orders for adult-use right away. Check with your local dispensary to see if you can place an online order for adult-use.

  1. Keep your cannabis in the original packaging and labels when taking it with you anywhere; store your cannabis products in your trunk while driving.
  2. Where all adults can use dispensaries now, a medical marijuana (MMJ) card can still provide lots of added benefits, including evidence of your need for work and other legal matters, lower tax rates, and in many dispensaries, you’ll be able to skip to the front of the line or check out separately, ensuring a faster transaction. 

Stay up-to-date with the issuance of adult-use licenses at https://elicense.com.ohio.gov/s/licensesearch. 

Find your local dispensary at https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/cannabis-control/about-dcc/licenses/what-we-do/cannabis-dispensary-map

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Author

  • I have been active in cannabis since 2013, starting as a volunteer signature gatherer for Ohio Rights Group and their Ohio Cannabis Rights Amendment ballot initiative. I have stayed active in my advocacy by working on different initiatives and helping others advocate at the Statehouse with our legislators. I have worked in the retail space of the industry since 2018, and have taught cannabis curriculum at the Cleveland School of Cannabis and Hocking College. I have earned numerous certificates in cannabis, as well as a Master of Science degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore for the Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics Master of Science program.

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