Verilife now offering Recreational Marijuana sales
Tuesday dispensaries across the state of Ohio started offering recreational marijuana sales, including Verilife in Wapakoneta.
This change comes after Issue 2 was passed in the November 2023 election, legalizing marijuana. Even though the law was passed last fall, retailers were not able to offer recreational use sales until now, due to the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC) having to issue dual-use certificates.
These certificates, called Certificates of Operation (COO), allow dispensaries to sell both medical and non-medical cannabis. The Wapakoneta Verilife is one of 98 eligible dispensaries that are receiving the first set of these certificates, according to the DCC. This comes ahead of the initial Sept. 7 deadline outlined in Issue 2.
Verilife Wapakoneta General Manager Jacqueline Strange said now that Verilife has its COO, its customer base will grow.
“We’re going to see a huge increase in traffic and all those who we weren’t previously able to serve, as long as they’re 21 and have a valid ID, we’ll be able to help them out,” Strange said.
To prepare, Strange has been adding more staff and preparing current staff for what customer traffic might look like. The check-in process and what people can purchase are different with recreational sales than people who have medical marijuana cards. Verilife, which operates across the country, has a guideline for how a dispensary should be set up for dual-use, which the Wapakoneta location has been following according to Strange.
Strange said it’s important for there to be wider access to cannabis because cannabis can help people.
“There’s a lot of people who are having undiagnosed issues that they don’t necessarily qualify for a medical card for that can greatly be helped by cannabis,” Strange said.
People can see the products Verilife offers and product information at their website. There are also “budtenders” who can help people find what they’re looking for after checking in.
Strange said she and her staff are excited to start offering recreational sales.
“We open at 7 a.m. and we’re excited to help anybody,” Strange said.
