Recreational Marijuana Sales a Hit at Valley Dispensaries

STRUTHERS, Ohio – Though April 20 might be a stoner holiday, Aug. 6 was also a day of celebration as sales of marijuana for recreational use began in Ohio.

Green Leaf Therapy in Struthers had a line of people stretching to the corner long before it opened at 10 a.m.

Green Leaf and other businesses have participated in medical marijuana sales, but now consumers age 21 and older can purchase regulated and tested cannabis products for recreational use.

For someone like Frank McKinney, who got in line at 9:30 a.m. and admits he has been using marijuana “forever,” long before it became legal, the day marks a new beginning. McKinney said he found friendly people in line.

“You don’t have to worry about getting arrested – that’s nice,” McKinney said. “You get a receipt this time.”

McKinney said marijuana takes the edge off for him as opposed to alcohol, which he cannot drink because he said it makes him violent.

“When I smoke, it’s very nice. Everybody’s happy,” McKinney said. “The whole country should do that – the politicians should do that.”

When Ryan Dunch lived in Pennsylvania, he was a medical marijuana user, but now he has moved to Youngstown and believes the timing of opening up recreational use is good for him.

“I’m just excited to see what the recreational looked like, see what the turnout would be like and maybe sample some of the product and maybe try it out,” Dunch said of his trip to the store in Struthers. For those who don’t have major medical conditions but have problems dealing with stress, like him, he believes this will allow them to wind down.

“I think it makes sense,” Dunch said of the change of law allowing the recreational use of marijuana. “I think for a lot of people … anything can be overused or overdone, but I think if you’re a responsible adult, it could kind of keep you out of trouble with more serious things. I think it’s something nice to wind down with, something for stress.”

He was not surprised by the line in front of the store.

“I assumed it would be a pretty big turnout. I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but it seemed like people were overwhelmingly ready for it in the state. So I was expecting a lot of people,” Dunch said, adding he believes the stigma has begun to fade away in the past couple of decades. 

Dunch said he hopes with more education, companies may take a look at their standards and become more open to marijuana and less likely to draw a “line in the sand” as a disqualifier for employment.

Louis Reese of Lowellville already uses marijuana medically for pain and cancer. He knows it is still cheaper to buy it on the street – $16 to $18 for a gram in the store, compared with $40 for 3 grams on the street. But he also sees the benefit of going to the dispensary, where there is no chance of the addition of other drugs, like fentanyl. 

Additionally, Reese said many dispensaries have someone to explain the various benefits of different types of marijuana.

Though he believes the medical side still has a few things to work out, he also thinks the legalization of recreational use will be good.

“As long as people treat it responsibly – people got to use their brains,” Reese said. “If you’re going to smoke, don’t drink and drive, don’t smoke and drive. “It’s common sense. People lack common sense anymore.”

He also suggests at least part of the tax money should go to schools for education programs, including one about drugs. A study by the Ohio State University Drug Enforcement and Policy Center suggested Ohio could generate between $276 million and $403 million annually in the fifth year after legalization.

The Ohio Cannabis Coalition, the trade organization of licensed cultivators, processors, dispensaries and testing labs in the state of Ohio, sent out a statement commemorating the day.

“Today is a historic day. Nine months ago, voters overwhelmingly said yes to bringing non-medical marijuana to our state and now we are seeing that come to fruition,” said Tom Haren, OHCANN spokesman. “This is only the beginning. We are proud of the work that has been put in by the Division of Cannabis Control and our members to get us here and will continue to work together to make this program the gold standard in the country.”

A Youngstown business was also celebrating Tuesday.

Andre Jenkins and Michael Shuba are co-owners of OhighO Attire, an Ohio cannabis attire line.

Shuba said he got the trademark license for the OhighO logo in 2015 in anticipation of this day. The business website just launched to coincide with the start of recreational sales.

“This has all been in the back of our minds and hearts, and today is here and so are we,” said Jenkins, noting they came to support the dispensary and the people who are finally able to not feel shy about admitting they use marijuana. Jenkins said he believes some people came out Tuesday just to be part of history.

“I feel like safety is the No. 1 change, knowing that the sources where we get our enjoyments and pleasures from is a more safer and reliable source now,” Jenkins said. “And the overall experience, feeling a part of society and not feeling deemed out and not being shunned or anything like that. It feels like we’re part of the party officially.”

OhighO Attire is hoping to capitalize on the legalization.

“As a cannabis brand, we’re definitely here to represent the culture,” Jenkins said. “From here on out, you can’t speak about cannabis in Ohio without spelling it this way. We’re here to stamp our flag in the industry as the first apparel brand to represent the state in the cannabis brand.”

Shuba offered a 20% off special for those celebrating the day by using the code OhighO420 on their website.

Pictured at top: Ryan Dunch of Youngstown is seen outside Green Leaf Therapy in Struthers on Tuesday.

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.