Ohio Sees $242 Million in Recreational Marijuana Sales in First Five Months
A downtown Columbus dispensary employee has reported a surge in business, saying that the state’s recreational marijuana sales have been booming. According to figures released, Ohio has generated $242 million in revenue from recreational marijuana sales in the first five months of 2025.
Darius Walter, an employee at Nar Reserve dispensary, attributes the success to the growing demand for legal cannabis. “Things have been going really well, and we’re definitely prepared for 2025,” he said.
The revenue from recreational marijuana sales is subject to a 10% excise tax, in addition to the normal sales tax. The tax revenue will be distributed among four categories: social equity and job initiatives (36%), municipal corporations or townships with dispensaries (36%), substance abuse and addiction services (25%), and the Division of Cannabis Control (3%).
Walter believes that the tax revenue will have a positive impact on the community, particularly for the next generation. “I think the benefit for the next generation is important. Being able to take advantage of the municipality and non-profit side of it has been astronomical to see the benefits and rewards for the tax dollars that will be used,” he said.
Some customers have expressed concern about the high prices of dispensaries in Ohio, but Walter attributes this to taxes and cultivators being overwhelmed. He expects prices to decrease this year.
Jason Erkes, with Sunnyside Dispensary, is pleased with the progress Ohio has made in legalizing marijuana and believes that the tax revenue will help people understand the importance of legalization. “When they start to see those tax dollars come in, both for the city level and state level, they’re typically like, ‘Hey, wait a minute. This is real money that we can make real change with in our state and in our community.’ That changes their perspective really quickly,” he said.
Despite requests, the Office of Budget and Management did not provide the exact numbers for the tax revenue the state received from recreational sales in 2024.
