By Sherry Larson

People’s Defender

Last Tuesday, nearly 100 dispensaries in Ohio were authorized to sell recreational marijuana after receiving their operating certificates from the state’s Division of Cannabis Control. Twenty-four states in the U.S. have legalized marijuana sales, with Colorado and Washington being the first.

In a November 2023 election, Ohio voters chose to allow individuals over 21 to purchase and grow cannabis for personal use. Recreational sales were on hold until regulations were put in place for purchasing.

Fox 59 reported that Sunnyside Dispensaries’ Cincinnati location opened at 7 a.m. to make one of the state’s first official sales at 7:04 a.m. One source told the Defender that the lines were so long at one dispensary they visited on Tuesday that they went to another location. They said, “The first trip was awful; too many stoners trying to run a business and the lines were terrible, everyone was acting like a junkie, and I had to leave. The second store, however, was amazing. It was a cool experience, and everyone was knowledgeable and happy to help.”

CBS.news.com reported, “The new law allows adults to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces (70 grams) of cannabis and to grow up to six plants per individual or 12 plants per household at home. Legal purchases are subject to a 10% tax, with the revenue divided between administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries, and paying for social equity and jobs programs supporting the cannabis industry itself.”

Those wishing to purchase recreational marijuana must show identification that proves they are 21 years of age. It is illegal for dispensaries to sell to people under 21. Also, many dispensaries will only accept cash.

According to courier-journal.com, a Division of Cannabis Control spokesman explained that the limits on how much recreational cannabis can be purchased are to ensure there is enough in stock for medical marijuana users. These rules are subject to change as the division finalizes standards for the program.

Now that dispensaries are legally selling recreational marijuana, Ohio will need to be diligent in studying the effects. Wtol.com reported a late 2023 study examining the 23 states that have legalized marijuana. They compared crash data before and after recreational legalization was passed and found that over time, the crash risk increased compared to states that haven’t legalized it.

There was another insight from a local who reminded many, in the not-so-distant past, were sent to prison for selling even small amounts of marijuana illegally, and now it’s a booming and legal business.