Cannabis Business Booming In Ohio After Dispensaries Begin Recreational Sales

CLEVELAND, ON – Sales of recreational marijuana have been going strong in Ohio since beginning about a month ago in the state’s dispensaries, Cleveland.com reports.

The first month saw sales of about %44 million including $11.1 million during the fourth week, a higher total than the previous two weeks.

Recreational sales launched Aug. 6 after Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) began issuing dozens of the state’s first dual certificates of operation for marijuana growers, processors and testing labs so they can begin working with both medical and recreational marijuana.

Ohio voters approved a measure legalizing marijuana that went into effect last December. Medical dispensaries began applying for dual licenses to sell cannabis products to adult, non-medical customers.  When they receive a certificate of operation, they are permitted to sell recreational products.

Two marijuana dispensary owners in Columbus told WCMH that they have been thriving since being cleared to begin recreational sales.

“We’ve had at least six times the amount of people that we had before when we were just medical,” Morton said. “So the non-medical crowd has definitely come in in full force,” said Mandy Morton, owner of Locals Cannabis, who said there has been no indication of business leveling off.  “We’ll compare this Wednesday to last Wednesday and see: is the trend continuing or are we starting to see a decrease in customers?” Morton said. “We haven’t seen that yet.”

Trulieve Director of State Operations Nick Rassler also said sales have remained steady each week.

“I think that that’ll continue to grow. There are some people who might purchase for one month and then might not come back for two or three months. They bought what they need and they’re kind of just working their way through,” Rassler said. “Others will come back once a week or more.”

As of last week, 123 of the state’s dispensaries were approval for dual-use sales of medical and rereational marijuana.  The state is putting a hold on further provisional licenses from being approved in Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. Currently, those three cities have a total of 28 dispensaries.  121 companies have applied for the next phase of licensing.

This story is just one of many you’ll find in the Cannabis News section of Cannabutter Digest, your go-to resource for all things cannabis-related. Check out our site to find tasty recipes, useful product reviews, and so much more!