Where you can buy recreational marijuana in Columbus
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Illustration: Lazaro Gamio/Axios
Nearly 100 marijuana dispensaries across Ohio now have the green light to start recreational sales, including 12 in Central Ohio.
Why it matters: It's been nine months since 55% of Ohioans voted to legalize recreational marijuana sales and possession for the first time in state history.
- The sales are expected to generate hundreds of millions of dollars in state tax revenue and boost business for the 120-plus dispensaries statewide.
Driving the news: The state Division of Cannabis Control issued certificates of operation on Tuesday to 98 businesses, the last regulatory hurdle of a relatively smooth process.
- It's up to each dispensary to decide when to begin selling.
Zoom in: Several, including Trulieve (8295 Sancus Blvd.), Amplify (5304 N. Hamilton Road) and Bloom Medicinals (1361 Georgesville Road) locally, have confirmed they'll start selling immediately.
How it works: Buyers must be at least 21, with an ID. Some dispensaries may only accept cash while offering an ATM on site, and there will be limits on transactions.
- Only products already legal under Ohio's medical marijuana program will be available until new non-medical rules are finalized next month. (That means you can't buy pre-rolled joints or seeds yet.)
- Separately, anyone 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis in most forms and grow up to six plants at home.
What they're saying: "We're very excited to provide a tested, regulated, safe product to cannabis consumers in Ohio that are currently forced, for the most part, to go to the illegal market," Andy Rayburn, CEO of Buckeye Relief, tells Axios.
- Rayburn's company operates Amplify dispensaries in Columbus and Northeast Ohio.
Between the lines: Don't expect opening day to include much fanfare, though. State guidelines forbid free samples, outdoor ribbon cuttings, food, music and unapproved signs and decor, the Dayton Daily News reports.
The big picture: Initially, certificates of operation are only being issued to existing medical marijuana dispensaries.
- The state plans to award more certificates this week and is in the process of approving licenses for new dispensary locations that should open in the "coming months and years."
Go deeper: Explore a statewide map of all sites approved for sales as of Tuesday.
Columbus dispensaries currently approved for recreational marijuana sales
- Bloom Medicinals, 1361 Georgesville Road
- Amplify, 5304 N. Hamilton Road
- Herbal Wellness Center, 2950 E. Main St.
- The Botanist, 115 Vine St.
- Trulieve, 2950 N. High St.
- NAR Reserve, 350 E. Long St.
- The Landing Dispensary, 724 W. Gay St.
- Trulieve, 8295 Sancus Blvd.
- Verdant Creations, 1243 N. Cassady Ave.
- Terrasana, 656 Grandview Ave.
Other Central Ohio locations
- Pure Ohio Wellness, 920 U.S. Hwy 42 NE, London
- Curaleaf, 150 N. 21st St., Newark
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to show Terrasana is in Columbus (not Grandview Heights).