Sunday marked Ohio’s first legal 420 stoner day and recreational marijuana sales were booming in the weeks leading up to the official pot holiday.
Ohio voters legalized recreational marijuana in the 2023 election, but dual-use dispensaries were first permitted to open in August 2024.
According to data released by Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control, the week leading up to April 20 saw a significant increase in marijuana sales.
And there’s more. In the six weeks leading up to 420, Ohio averaged more than 260,000 transactions each week.
In the week of April 20, sales jumped $3 million, with total cannabis receipts exceeding $20 million from April 13-19.
Adrienne Robbins, the deputy executive director for the Ohio Cannabis Coalition (OHCANN), reflected on the changes.
“Years ago we probably didn’t know if we were going to reach this day or not, as far as sales go for the industry this has been a high sale weekend for them,” Robbins said.
Robbins said the sales have positively impacted growers, processors, dispensaries, and deliveries. She said the industries future growth could open many job opportunities.
“We are going to continue to see ways we can make this industry even better, seeing the numbers we are seeing at this point and seeing how far we have come is really impressive and it makes us very hopeful for the future as well,” Robbins said.
Robbins said one of the biggest hurdles the industry is facing is advertising restrictions. She said to get the industry to takeoff it’s about allowing these businesses to market themselves and their products. Pricing was also a concern as Ohio’s pricing continues to be more than Michigan’s.
Before legalization, Robbins said many consumers would travel to Michigan to purchase products, where prices typically are two-thirds less than what dispensaries sell pot for in Ohio.