Ohio tops $1 billion in cannabis sales in first year of legalization

The legal market for cannabis In Ohio, a symbolic milestone was reached in 2025, with combined recreational and medical sales exceeding, for the first time, the billion dollars. Ohio didn't start may be legally sold at retail only as of August 2024, after having won the voters' approval less than a year earlier.

According to data from the Ohio Cannabis Control Division, purchases of cannabis for non-medical purposes reached more than $836 million in 2025 alone. If we add the transactions related to the medical marijuana, total sales exceeded $1.06 billion.

A market driven by steady monthly growth

Sales of recreational cannabis have gained momentum throughout the year, averaging nearly 70 million dollars a month in 2025. After a start-up phase in late 2024, sales volumes increased significantly in the spring and fall, with particularly strong months in May, July, October, and December.

As of early January 2026, cumulative sales to adults since the launch totaled just under $1.1 billion.

Product preferences remained relatively consistent. Cannabis flowers accounted for the largest share of sales, generating between 8 and 9 million dollars per week during the last six months of the year. Vaporizer-compatible oils and concentrates followed, averaging about $6 million per week, while edibles—including gummies and beverages—generated about $2 million per week.

Medical cannabis remains important but is slowing down

While recreational cannabis dominated global sales in 2025, the medical cannabis program Ohio continued to make a substantial contribution. Sales for medical purposes reached more than $233 million Throughout the year, although monthly volumes gradually declined as purchases for adults increased.

Since the Medical cannabis sales to begin in 2019, Ohio residents spent more than 2.2 billion dollars as part of this program. The country currently has hundreds of thousands of registered patients, but only a fraction of them receive active treatment recommendations, reflecting a mature medical market that is beginning to stabilize.

Prices are falling as the retail network expands

As is often the case in newly regulated markets, increased competition and a rise in supply have led to a slight price drop. The average price of cannabis-based manufactured products has risen from more than $26 in early 2025, less than 24 dollars in early 2026. The average price of flowers also fell slightly during the same period.

Ohio now has 190 accredited clinics authorized to sell cannabis for medical and recreational use. However, the expansion of the retail sector is facing structural limitations. More than 130 municipalities and towns have enacted moratoriums banning recreational sales, thereby limiting the number of operating retail outlets statewide.

Regulatory changes that are expected to reshape 2026

In the future, Ohio’s cannabis landscape is expected to change again in 2026 with the implementation of the Senate Bill 56, which was enacted in December and is scheduled to take effect in March.

This legislation introduces THC potency limits, lowers the maximum limits for extracts and flowers, strengthens transportation and packaging regulations, and restricts the sale of intoxicants derived from hemp outside of licensed dispensaries. It also establishes new penalties related to public use and cultivation limits.

These changes have sparked a strong reaction from the industry and advocacy groups, who argue that the law alters the framework approved by voters. A statewide referendum is underway, seeking to suspend the law and return the issue to Ohio voters.