Chris Sims,Haley BeMiller,Amber Hunt,Randy TuckerUSA TODAY NETWORK
Recreational marijuana is finally available in Ohio, making legal weed an option for Kentucky residents who wish to consume products across state lines.
Currently, marijuana is illegal in Kentucky, but medicinal weed will be available starting in 2025.
Weed in Kentucky: Who can get medical marijuana? Here's which conditions qualify
Here's what's happening in Ohio:
Ohio recreational weed: The first legal purchase
A 55-year-old Madisonville resident made the first recreational marijuana purchase at a Greater Cincinnati dispensary Tuesday morning, the first day of legal sales in Ohio.
Jeff Riede said he’d been waiting in his car in the parking lot since about 6:30 p.m. Monday for the dispensary to open at 7 a.m. He planned to buy edibles and some flower.
“Yeah, I slept in my car,” Riede said. “This is pretty epic to me. I wanted to be the first one here.”
Live updates from Cincinnati Enquirer: First legal recreational marijuana sold in Greater Cincinnati
Weed is legal at Ohio recreational dispensaries
Starting Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, recreational marijuana will go on sale at recreational dispensaries across the state of Ohio.
Ohio recreational weed dispensary 2024 map
View the map below to see which dispensaries are licensed to sell recreational products. You may want to call the store or check social media to ensure adult-use sales have started at that location.
Ohio recreational weed limits: How much marijuana can I buy legally?
Adults 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of extracts or edibles in Ohio.
But there are limits on what you can buy in one transaction. Initially, recreational customers can purchase no more than:
- One ounce of dried plant material, called flower.
- Ten units of oil to vape, each containing 590mg of THC.
- Ten packages of edibles totaling no more than 1,100mg of THC.
The caps are combined across all types of products. That means you can't purchase the maximum amount of flower, vape cartridges and edibles in one sitting.
Division of Cannabis Control spokesman Jamie Crawford said the limits aim to ensure there's enough in stock for medical marijuana patients. The rules are only in place for now, until the division finalizes standards for the program.
What should I bring to an Ohio marijuana dispensary?
Don't forget your ID. It's illegal for dispensaries to sell to people under 21, and they will card you.
Many dispensaries only accept cash and have an ATM on site for customers who don't have any. Some stores accept debit cards or automated clearing housepayments.
Do Ohio receational weed dispensaries sell marijuana online?
Customers can place online orders at dispensaries, but they must pay in-store.
The Division of Cannabis Control proposed rules allowing for online payments down the road.
Do Ohio recreational weed dispensaries deliver?
Ohio regulators will also craft rules for home delivery, which is not currently available.
What marijuana products are available at Ohio recreational weed dispensaries?
Ohio dispensaries sell a range of products, including flower, vape cartridges, edibles, beverages and topical creams. The state requires businesses to package flower in 2.83 g amounts, known in the industry as the "Ohio tenth."
Initially, only products allowed under the medical marijuana program will be available to adult-use consumers. That means there won't be pre-rolled joints or concentrates with more than 70% THC on the shelves. Those could become available starting around September.
How much does marijuana cost at 2024 Ohio recreational weed dispensaries?
Flower typically costs anywhere from $30 to over $100, depending on the strain and amount per container. Vape pens and cartridges can range from $25 to $75. Edibles are usually a little cheaper − about $15 to $30 per package − but high-potency products get more expensive.
These prices don't account for sales or deals that dispensaries may offer.
What's the difference between indica and sativa?
Indica strains tend to be associated with relaxation and sedation − and oftencontain more CBD− while sativa is known for energizing users. Hybrids could be anywhere in the middle.
But it isn't that simple, Wingfield said. He encouraged shoppers to talk with dispensary employees about their needs and what kind of effect they want from the product.
Does Kentucky offer recreational marijuana?
No. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear approved a medical marijuana law in 2023, but recreational weed was not a part of the new law.
What is Kentucky's Medical Cannabis Program?
TheKentucky Medical Cannabis Program— which regulates the legal cultivation, production, sale and use of medical marijuana products — was signed by Gov. Beshear in March 2023, but it is set to officially start Jan. 1, 2025.
Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter:@ChrisFSims.
