Ohio’s Recreational Marijuana Sales Kick Off: A Look at the First Day
After months of regulatory hurdles, 98 dispensaries in Ohio received licenses to sell recreational marijuana, marking the first day Ohio residents over 21 can legally purchase the plant for non-medical use. While some dispensaries chose to open early, many welcomed customers on Tuesday, offering a glimpse into the state’s new recreational marijuana market.
In Cincinnati, Jeff Riede, a 55-year-old Madisonville resident, made the first recreational marijuana purchase at Sunnyside dispensary. He had been waiting in his car since Monday evening to be the first in line. “Yeah, I slept in my car,” Riede said. “This is pretty epic to me. I wanted to be the first one here.”
In Columbus, Bloom Medicinals opened its doors to a line of about 20 people eager to be some of the first to buy marijuana over the counter without a prescription. The dispensary offered a variety of products, including edibles and flower, with prices ranging from $17 to $100. Gavin McKenney, the general manager, noted that customers used to buying marijuana in Michigan may need to adjust to Ohio’s higher prices.
At Nar Reserve, a dispensary on Long Street and Grant Avenue, the line was shorter than expected, with customers waiting to purchase edibles and flower. Linda McAlexander, a 70-year-old who has asthma, said she was excited to see Ohio finally embracing recreational marijuana. “Ohio is so conservative, it’s ridiculous,” she said.
Truelieve dispensary in Westerville saw a long line wrapping around the building, with customers waiting to purchase marijuana on their lunch breaks. Employees checked customers in, answered questions, and handed out water bottles while the summer sun beat down on the dispensary.
Despite some initial concerns about the impact on Ohio’s medical marijuana program, many customers expressed excitement and relief at the new recreational market. “It feels good to know you can get it, and it’s actually safe, you know,” said Cameron Gregory, 26. “I ran here right after work.”
Others viewed Tuesday as a long-overdue step towards legalization. “It feels like I’m being treated as an adult, as opposed to a criminal,” said Troy Stanley, 50. “I’ve been persecuted and prosecuted for the last 40 years over something that should have been made legal a long time ago.”
As recreational marijuana sales continue to roll out across the state, Ohio residents are eager to explore the new
