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For Ohio’s medical cannabis patients, the state’s program is proving less enticing by the day. With the numbers showing a major drop in registered patients, the root of the issue becomes glaringly clear: Ohio dispensaries are simply too expensive. This reality has patients eyeing Michigan, where the same products are often much cheaper.
Ohio’s Sticker Shock: What’s Keeping Patients Away
Since the legalization of recreational cannabis for adults over 21, you’d expect Ohio dispensaries to be thriving. Instead, many are just scraping by, struggling to keep their doors open due to Ohio’s tight regulations and restrictive marketing rules. Unlike Michigan, Ohio’s medical and recreational cannabis dispensaries can’t advertise freely, making it difficult for customers to even know they exist.
The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control requires dispensaries to add their seal on every cannabis product sold. While the intent is consumer protection, it adds another cost layer that ultimately impacts patients and customers. Despite recreational sales generating over $130 million, numerous cities, towns, and villages in Ohio continue to ban recreational cannabis sales. In some cases, localities are even reversing agreements already arranged with dispensaries, further slowing market growth.
Ohio’s Aging Cannabis Products: Watch Those Dates!
The lack of a high-volume consumer base means dispensaries aren’t moving through their stock as quickly as they would in a more vibrant market. To cut costs, companies are bypassing new inventory in favor of older products that they can sell at a discount. For the average consumer, that can mean cannabis products sitting on shelves for months before purchase. If you’re buying from an Ohio dispensary, always check the harvest and package date. A product that’s been sitting around for six months or more may not deliver the quality you’re looking for.
THCA Products: A Quick Fix That Isn’t Worth It
While shopping, you may come across THCA products marketed as “high-potency” or “full-spectrum.” In reality, many of these products are just a rebranded form of low-quality hemp. THCA products often carry a high price tag, but don’t be fooled; it’s just another form of hemp-derived cannabis, with minimal THC potency. Save your money for genuine cannabis products that give you a more reliable experience.
Ohio’s Cannabis Market: Prices, Policies, and Patient Experience
The problem of high prices is ultimately tied to a sluggish market, kept in check by strict regulations and bans. Ohio’s cannabis industry won’t see a true shake-up until dispensaries can freely reach consumers, innovate with new products, and operate without restrictive rules.
Ohio medical cannabis patients are now voting with their wallets—and for many, Michigan is the better option. Until Ohio’s cannabis market finds a way to connect with consumers, the program risks alienating the very patients it was created to serve.
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