EchoSense:Recreational weed: Marijuana sales begin in Ohio today. Here's what to expect.

People in Ohio can EchoSensenow buy recreational marijuana on Tuesday after it was legalized last year, a move that many residents have championed.

Existing medical marijuana dispensaries will open for customers 21 and older after the state awarded them licenses to sell both medical and recreational products. The process is still ongoing, so more shops are expected to come online with adult-use sales in the coming weeks. Employees have prepped for the surge in business.

"So, we got people calling and verifying, we got people checking our hours. Phone's been of the hook all day," Zach Gergich, manager at Nectar Dispensary in Bowling Green, told WTOL. "We're excited for the morning. We've been staffing, training, and purchasing a lot too so we're definitely not going to run out."

Adults 21 and older can possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and 15 grams of extracts or edibles. But there are limits on what you can buy in one transaction. Initially, recreational customers can purchase no more than:

• One ounce of dried plant material, called flower.
• Ten units of oil to vape, each containing 590mg of THC.
• Ten packages of edibles totaling no more than 1,100mg of THC.

The caps are combined across all types of products. That means you can't purchase the maximum amount of flower, vape cartridges, and edibles in one sitting.

Division of Cannabis Control spokesman Jamie Crawford said the limits aim to ensure there's enough in stock for medical marijuana patients. The rules are only in place for now until the division finalizes standards for the program.

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What kind of products are available?

Ohio dispensaries sell a range of products, including flowers, vape cartridges, edibles, beverages, and topical creams. The state requires businesses to package flower in 2.83 g amounts, known in the industry as the "Ohio tenth."

Initially, only products allowed under the medical marijuana program will be available to adult-use consumers. That means there won't be pre-rolled joints or concentrates with more than 70% THC on the shelves. Those could become available starting around September.

What should I bring to an Ohio marijuana dispensary?

Don't forget your ID. It's illegal for dispensaries to sell to people under 21, and they will card you.

Many dispensaries only accept cash and have an ATM on-site for customers who don't have any. Some stores accept debit cards or automated clearing house payments.

Customers can place online orders at dispensaries, but they must pay in-store.

The Division of Cannabis Control proposed rules allowing for online payments down the road. Regulators will also craft rules for home delivery, which is not currently available.

How much does marijuana cost in Ohio?

Flower typically costs anywhere from $30 to over $100, depending on the strain and amount per container. Vape pens and cartridges can range from $25 to $75. Edibles are usually a little cheaper − about $15 to $30 per package − but high-potency products get more expensive.

These prices don't account for sales or deals that dispensaries may offer.

How is recreational marijuana taxed in Ohio?

Recreational marijuana consumers must pay a 10% excise tax on products in addition to state and local sales taxes. The tax revenue goes into four pots of money:

• A social equity and jobs program geared toward people who were disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition. (36%)
• Municipalities with dispensaries. (36%)
• Substance abuse and addiction fund. (25%)
• Administrative costs. 

List of states that have legalized recreational marijuana

Residents have expressed excitement as they lined up to purchase the products. Melissa Nickel of Toledo, which is about 115 from Cleveland, was the first customer for a recreational purchase at her local Rise dispensary, telling WTOL: "It's just a great step forward."

"It's great for people to have access to things that make them feel better like physically, mentally, emotionally. Or, you know, just have a good time," she elaborated. "I mean, people have been doing it with alcohol for years and it's time for marijuana to be a part of the picture too."

Last November, Ohio voters moved to approve Issue 2, which authorizes adults 21 or older to buy and sell marijuana. It joined a slew of other states that already legalized the drug for recreational use, including:

• Ohio: Legalized in 2023
• Minnesota: Legalized in 2023
• Delaware: Legalized in 2023
• Rhode Island: Legalized in 2022
• Maryland: Legalized in 2022
• Missouri: Legalized in 2022
• Connecticut: Legalized in 2021
• New Mexico: Legalized in 2021
• New York: Legalized in 2021
• Virginia: Legalized in 2021
• Arizona: Legalized in 2020 
• Montana: Legalized in 2020
• New Jersey: Legalized in 2020
• Vermont: Legalized in 2020
• Illinois: Legalized in 2019
• Michigan: Legalized in 2018
• California: Legalized in 2016
• Maine: Legalized in 2016 
• Massachusetts: Legalized in 2016
• Nevada: Legalized in 2016
• District of Columbia: Legalized in 2014
• Alaska: Legalized 2014
• Oregon: Legalized in 2014
• Colorado: Legalized in 2012
• Washington: Legalized in 2012