August 6th, 2024 will go down in Ohio history as the first day citizens could legally buy cannabis at state dispensaries. Across the state, 98 MMJ dispensaries received their dual certificates of operation, allowing them to open doors and serve customers for the first time.
First day of sales: Crowd Control
In Cincinnati, The Forest dispensary amassed about an hour wait through the morning hours, but by afternoon it was down to about 1/2 hour. Staff notes that they only saw a few MMJ patients and they are being bumped to the front of the line. The Forest staff further noted that their drive thru is currently for medical patients only, making it easier to for them to quickly pickup their medicine.
Nearby at Beyond Hello, security noted that they have been busy with adult-use customers, but they are offering extended hours for medical card holders each morning from 8-9 am and 9-10 am on Sunday. Security reminded us that people visiting the dispensary to purchase or even to come in as a guest, need to have a valid ID that is not expired. It does not have to be an Ohio ID.
At Milford Uplift, security noted the line extended out to the end of the sidewalk earlier in the day, but by afternoon it had dissipated and people could walk right inside. Pure Ohio Wellness in Dayton had lines outside, but inside medical purchases were prioritized.
Cincinnati Sunnyside staff reported they did over 1,000 transactions yesterday and staff at Columbus’s Nar Reserve noted they did over 400. Nar also reports that they had 9 registers open throughout the day and that no customer waited more than a half hour in line.
Kepal Patel, Shangri-La’s President, noted that their MMJ patients will be a priority despite the influx they saw starting today at their stores across Ohio, including Cleveland, Delphos and their two Monroe locations.
“We’ve seen long lines at all four of our Ohio locations with brisk sales throughout the day. Months of planning have ensured our operations are running smoothly, and we have plenty of products at all Shangri La locations. We continue to give medicinal customers priority so their needs are met promptly,” said Patel.
Some Dispensaries Won’t Open to Adult Users
Dispensaries such as Nectar that won a 2022 lottery bid to build their operations in the City of Euclid won’t be able to serve adult-use customers. Euclid administrators announced yesterday they won’t allow the sale of adult-use cannabis.
“We’ve turned away a couple hundred, thousands of dollars, because people are coming and expecting to make purchases here and they were being told we can’t sell to them because of a rule the city set forward,” Nectar representative Jimmie Dawson told Cleveland’s 3News.
Several other cities across Ohio still hold similar moratoriums preventing or delaying adult-use sales. Those dispensaries will only be able to be accessed by MMJ patients until or unless a legislative change is made. Other cities around the state have moratoriums in effect with no existing medical dispensaries or cultivators, delaying the presence of any cannabis-related business in their communities.
Price Surges Reported
Medical marijuana cardholders have noticed price surges since the adult-use market prepared to open. MedicateOH detailed these surges in this article. Products in every category from flower to concentrates to edibles have seen an increase, though some prices have increased more than others.
Editorial writer and MedicateOH staff member Alex Pearson, who writes a horoscope with corresponding product recommendations, notes a limiting budget. Pearson, who has a MMJ recommendation for migraines, has become a bargain shopper by necessity.
“I used to find a half ounce for $65, tincture for $20, and edibles for $10 on sales days,” said Pearson, who has had a MMJ card since 2022. “I’m now paying more than that combined for just flower.”
Those who purchase frequently could benefit from obtaining or keeping a MMJ card. For reference, a half ounce of flower at $110 would be $117 with a MMJ card and around $128 without.
Kentucky, Indiana Buying in Ohio
One dispensary staff member noted yesterday that they saw about half their adult-use customers come through showing IDs from Kentucky and Indiana, two adjoining states without active MMJ programs or dispensaries. Kentuckians may legally purchase in Ohio due to a state executive order. Their MMJ program begins in January 2025. Indiana is still a completely non-legal cannabis state. MedicateOH asked Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) spokesperson Jamie Crawford about whether there would be any reciprocity or incentives for out of state MMJ cardholders visiting Ohio.
Crawford said: “Reciprocity for medical marijuana cardholders with other states is something the Division can review under the medical marijuana statute. There have not been any reciprocity agreements entered into yet.”
MMJ patients, consumers and citizens with suggestions, comments or concerns about Ohio’s cannabis program and policies can reach out to the DCC at mmcp@com.ohio.gov.
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Medicate OH’s Founder and Publisher is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio and holds an undergraduate degree in journalism and a master’s degree in public administration, both from Northern Kentucky University. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing professionally for the medical and wellness industries, including positions with The Journal of Pediatrics, Livestrong, The Cincinnati Enquirer, and Patient Pop.
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