When the movement for legalization began, it was fueled by grassroots activism, the pursuit of social justice, and a desire to destigmatize a plant that had impacted countless lives during the War on Drugs. Yet in state after state, the transition into a corporatized market is a well-documented phenomenon. In Ohio, the mechanics of this shift are becoming painfully clear.
To measure the gap between the business side and the community side of cannabis, MedicateOH launched two anonymous surveys using Google Forms—one tailored for industry workers and another for everyday consumers. While we continue to gather data for a broader sample size, early trends reveal a striking alignment in sentiment across both groups.
The Methodology & Participants
Both surveys utilize a 5-point Likert scale (1=StronglyAgree,5=StronglyDisagree) alongside open-ended feedback to gauge market sentiment.
- Consumer Perspective (N=48): The majority of consumer respondents are experienced users—62.5% have consumed cannabis for over 20 years, and 39.6% participate in both the medical and adult-use markets. Top factors driving dispensary choice include location (70.8%), selection (64.6%), and price (60.4%).
- Industry Perspective (N=22): Industry respondents represent experienced market workers, with 68.2% having worked in regulated Ohio cannabis for 1–3 years and 45.5% operating in executive, corporate, or ownership roles.
What the Data is Showing So Far
Rather than revealing a divide between workers and consumers, early data shows that both groups share the same core frustrations regarding pricing, product transparency, and corporate culture.
1. High Prices & Product Transparency
The cost of legal cannabis remains the single largest point of friction in Ohio.
- 36.4% of industry workers strongly disagree that pricing is fair and accessible.
- Consumers overwhelmingly echoed this in open-ended responses, demanding lower prices and a return to “deli-style” menus where flower can be seen and smelled before purchase. Furthermore, 35.4% of consumers strongly disagree that packaging accurately reflects product quality.
2. Loss of Culture & Community Connection
Both sides agree that corporate consolidation is eroding the roots of the movement:
- 56.3% of consumers strongly agree that the regulated market has lost touch with traditional cannabis culture.
- 54.5% of industry workers strongly agree that the corporate-retail model is erasing traditional culture.
- 43.8% of consumers feel shopping at dispensaries resembles a “sterile corporate transaction” rather than a community experience.
3. Corporate Disconnect & Regulatory Barriers
Front-line reality vs. executive decision-making remains a major sore spot within industry operations:
- 50.0% of industry workers strongly agree that executive leadership enforces policies disconnected from ground-level realities.
- 54.5% strongly agree that state regulations serve primarily as a barrier to keep small, local operators out.
- 45.5% report frequently having to choose between following “the company way” and doing what is best for the patient/consumer.
Despite these operational hurdles, the passion for the plant remains intact: 68.2% of industry respondents strongly agree that they have personally witnessed their work genuinely improve local patients’ quality of life.
Looking Ahead
Early findings indicate that experienced consumers and industry professionals are largely aligned: current regulations and corporate models favor high margins over community connection and accessibility.
As we continue collecting responses, MedicateOH plans to share comprehensive data with both public policymakers and private operators to help advocate for meaningful reform in Ohio’s evolving market.
Have Your Say
Help us shape the narrative by sharing your experiences:
- To take the CONSUMER survey, click here: Consumer Survey
- To take the INDUSTRY survey, click here: Industry Survey
