What to expect at an Ohio marijuana dispensary
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The front desk check-in area of Terrasana, Central Ohio's first dispensary. Photo: Courtesy of Terrasana
Cannabis is now legal for personal use in Ohio — so I visited my nearest dispensary to check it out.
Why it matters: I never expected to publish a sentence like that, but non-medical marijuana is now for sale at nearly 100 shops across the state.
- If you're feeling nervous or just wondering how it works, I'm here to help.
Driving the news: I visited Terrasana near Grandview Heights on Wednesday, the second day of legal sales.
- It was the first dispensary to open in Central Ohio when medical marijuana sales began in 2019.
How it works: During an ID check at the front desk, I let them know I was a walk-in recreational customer (you can also pre-order online).
- I was then permitted to enter the sales floor in a separate room.
- This shop accepts cash and debit cards.
💭 My thought bubble: Don't be afraid to ask for help.
- I appreciated the "budtender" explaining to me the different products behind the counter and their effects — such as relaxation, sleepiness or euphoria — depending on the strain of the cannabis plant they contain.
The vibe: It felt like a pharmacy mixed with an urgent care office. There was a security guard present and, overall, it was a clean, efficient and friendly operation.
- Surprisingly, there was hardly a line. I was in and out in 15 minutes.
Between the lines: Prices will be elevated at the start as supply and demand stabilizes.
- A pack of 10 edible gummies at Terrasana cost $20-60, depending on potency.
- In Michigan, where recreational sales started in 2019, this pack would likely cost less than $10, WTOL reports.
The bottom line: Though it was a positive experience, I still felt a bit of stigma walking into a business to buy recreational marijuana.
- I guess the nerves are understandable as a lifetime resident of a state where doing so has always been illegal.
😅 Is this how Westerville folks felt in 2006, when an Uptown business finally served beer legally for the first time?
Got more questions? Check out the state's FAQ.
