Recreational marijuana became legal in Ohio just over a year ago, in December 2023, with sales launching at local dispensaries in August 2024.
There are over 120 stores across the state selling recreational marijuana to consumers age 21 and older, meaning Cincinnatians can now walk into approved locations to purchase a range of products, including flower, vape cartridges, edibles, beverages and topical creams.
Are you new to the process? Here's what you need to know before swinging by a dispensary in Ohio.
According to WebMD, THC, or delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, is the main psychoactive ingredient in the cannabis plant and the ingredient that makes you feel "high" when you smoke or ingest marijuana. However, the amount of THC in marijuana products often varies. The medical website states marijuana plants are stronger today than ever with the average amount of THC being 15% compared to roughly 4% in the mid-1990s.
There are various types of THC found in the cannabis plant: delta-8, delta-9, THC-A, THC-V and THC-P. Here's a breakdown of each.
Delta-8 is a synthetic compound derived from CBD that produces a mild high - earning it the nickname "diet weed."
Delta-9 is the THC compound most commonly found in the cannabis plant, per Healthline.com Delta-9 THC is the compound that produces the high from marijuana.
THC-A, short for tetrahydrocannabinolic acid, is the most common, non-psychoactive cannabinoid in the cannabis plant. THC-A helps users feel calm and relaxed without the "high" from delta-8 or delta-9.
THC-V, short for tetrahydrocannabivarin, is a chemical found in the cannabis sativa plant, but is not believed to trigger many of the psychoactive effects that the other compounds produce, WebMD reports. According to Healthline, THC-V is popular for its "appetite-curbing" and "energy-boosting properties."
THC-P, short for tetrahydrocannabiphorol, is a newly discovered cannabinoid found by scientists in Italy in 2020, CNN reports. During lab testing, THC-P showed to be potentially 30 times more potent than Delta-9 THC, but it is unclear whether or not it will produce a stronger high.
Ohio dispensaries sell a range of products, including flower, vape cartridges, edibles, beverages and topical creams. Only products allowed under the medical marijuana program are available to adult-use consumers, meaning dispensaries cannot sell pre-rolled joints or concentrates with more than 70% THC on the shelves. However, this could change as the Division of Cannabis Control finalizes standards for the recreational program.
Indica strains tend to be associated with relaxation and sedation - and often contain more CBD - while sativa is known for energizing users. Hybrids could be anywhere in the middle.
According to Sunnyside Dispensary, which has a location in Columbia Township, flower is the most common form of cannabis and often contains the highest concentrations of THC and CBD.
Flower is typically sold as loose, "popcorn-sized" buds that can be smoked or vaporized. Marijuana flower is also sold as pre-rolled joints in other states but is not currently available in Ohio.
Currently, Ohio requires businesses to package flower in 2.83-gram amounts, known in the industry as the "Ohio tenth."
Cannabis vapes allow users to consume marijuana quickly, easily and discreetly. There are two different types of THC vape options: prefilled cartridges, also known as carts, and disposable vapes.
Like nicotine products, traditional vape cartridges require a separate battery to use. You can also re-use the battery by charging the device and swapping out different pre-filled carts.
Disposable vapes, however, come pre-filled and often don't need to be recharged before use. These "closed system devices" also do not need to be refilled with e-liquid. You simply discard the device when empty.
Some vapes may also be filled with cannabis concentrates, which are products such as extracts, oil and hash that are made by concentrating the resin of the cannabis plant. When you vape or heat cannabis concentrate you are practicing the process known as "dabbing."
If you don't like the thought of ingesting smoke or vapor, don't worry. There are smoke-free options, too.
There are several cannabis-infused edible products on the market from traditional edibles, such as gummies and brownies, to tinctures or liquid cannabis elixirs. However, experts recommend you start slow when taking edibles, as the effects build over time. Tinctures, on the other hand, are usually fast-acting.
Topicals are cannabis-infused creams and lotions that are usually applied directly to your skin for localized pain management. They typically do not have the same intoxicating, psychoactive effects as flower, edibles or vapes.
Adults 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of extracts or edibles. But there are limits on what can be purchased in one transaction.
Currently, recreational customers can purchase no more than:
If you're heading to your local 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. However, some stores do accept debit cards or automated clearing house payments.
There are over 20 dispensaries that have been issued dual-use certificates to sell both medical and recreational marijuana to customers ages 21 and older in the Cincinnati area, per the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control.
Individuals seeking to obtain medical marijuana in Ohio must have an in-person or telemedicine visit with a physician, who has been certified to recommend medical marijuana, at least once per year, per the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control.
If your physician determines you have a qualifying condition, they will recommend medical marijuana for you and will create your profile in the Patient & Caregiver Registry. Your physician may also make specific product recommendations and refill specifications, the department's website adds.
The physician may recommend up to a 90-day supply of medical marijuana with three refills, totaling 360 days. Registrations must be renewed annually.