COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ever since the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control permitted 98 dispensaries to open last Tuesday, sales have been a sea of green.
That includes those at Bloom Medicinal off Georgesville Road.
“It’s flying off the shelves as soon as we put it out,” said Lew White, a manager at Bloom Medicinal.
State records show sales of recreational marijuana sales topped $11 million as of Aug. 10.
“It doesn’t surprise me. It could have more frankly,” said Jim Ickes, an attorney who specializes in cannabis law.
Ickes said judging by other states, Ohio could see much more in the future.
“You look at the a state like Michigan that is well over $3 billion annually as of last year. At least $700 million of that is Ohioans crossing the border,” he said.
So how is Ohio spending the recreational weed dollars?
The majority, 36%, goes to Cannabis Social Equity and Jobs Fund to finance and train those who qualify to set up their own dispensary.
Another 36% is going to municipalities or townships that have adult-use dispensaries to use as they see fit. One quarter of the money will go to substance abuse and addiction fund and the last 3% will go to the Division of Cannabis Control and tax commissioner fund.
You can see a list of dispensaries in central Ohio here.
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