Ohio’s Issue 2 is now in effect, legalizing cannabis, but it won’t be available everywhere instantly. Medical cannabis dispensaries will initially sell adult-use cannabis with new stores opening throughout the summer. The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control processes applications on a first-come, first-served basis, with about 126 dispensaries currently open statewide. Possession limits are set, and public consumption or operating vehicles while high is prohibited. At least 54 cities and counties will opt-out of sales for now. Ohio legal cannabis buyer’s guide to 2024
How much will it cost?
To begin with, Cannabis starts at about $3 per gram right now for low-grade ‘shake’ in the medical system, which will be a good baseline for upcoming recreational prices. Again, the top end hits $12 per gram. Expect prices to rise maybe 20% as demand swamps supply. Eventually, supply equalizes and surpasses demand, and prices will start falling. In mature weed states like Oregon, joints can go for as little as $2.
One-gram cartridges run in the $50 to $60 range.
Moreover, Ohio will add a 10% excise tax to cannabis sales. More so, the state has a 5.75% sales tax, as well as local taxes of up to 2.25%. The Ohio industry could gross $1 billion per year from roughly 1 million monthly smokers.
What are some good strains to try?
The top-searched strains in Ohio this month are:
- Blue Dream
- Original Glue
- Super Boof
- Lemon Cherry Gelato
- Runtz
- Gary Payton
- Ice Cream Cake
- Wedding Cake
- Permanent Marker (Leafly Strain of the Year 2023)
- GMO Cookies
Furthermore, this list offers some good places to start for popular strains, and what a sophisticated collection of current cultivars we see. It shows how cannabis appreciation ignores state lines and trends have become global. Ohio truly is The Heart of It All. Ohio legal cannabis buyer’s guide to 2024