Recreational cannabis sales top $700m in first year since legalization

Ohio recreational cannabis product sales topped $702.5 million in the first year since voters approved a measure legalizing them (Source: “Ohio’s recreational marijuana sales surpassed $702.5 million in first year,” Ohio Capital Journal, Aug. 7). 
 
This week marks one year since Ohio began selling recreational cannabis, and sales totaled $702,587,948 with 109,706 pounds sold as of Tuesday, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Cannabis Control. The average price was $6.63 per gram the week of July 27 through Aug. 2. 
 
Ohioans passed a citizen-initiated law to legalize recreational cannabis in 2023 with 57% of the vote, and sales started in August 2024. Ohio lawmakers can change the law since it passed as a citizen initiative, not a constitutional amendment.
 
Ohio has 159 dispensaries licensed to sell both medical and recreational marijuana, according to the Ohio Department of Commerce. There is currently no limit on the number of licenses for dispensaries in Ohio.