One year after the launch of recreational marijuana sales in Ohio, the cannabis industry has experienced a remarkable surge. With sales climbing into the hundreds of millions, the promise of economic benefits has certainly played out—at least on paper. However, not all Ohio communities are feeling the impact of those gains, particularly when it comes to the long-anticipated tax funds.
From the moment dispensaries opened their doors, excitement was high. Ernest Philippe, one of the first customers at Amplify Dispensary, described the atmosphere on opening day as electric. “Everyone was so happy. I had never seen anything like it in my life,” he said.
That enthusiasm was quickly validated by the numbers. Within just five days, Ohio saw $11.5 million in recreational cannabis sales. By the end of 2024, that figure had ballooned to $242 million. Now, a full year later, the state has recorded a staggering $702 million in non-medical cannabis sales.
With this rapid growth, one would expect tax funds generated from cannabis sales to be making a visible difference in local communities. As of today, the state has collected over $122 million in cannabis-related tax revenue. These tax funds were supposed to be distributed back to municipalities through the Host Community Fund, a key selling point of Issue 2, the law that legalized recreational cannabis.
But in several cities, including Gahanna, there’s a growing sense of frustration. Despite hosting dispensaries and contributing to the state’s booming cannabis market, they’ve yet to see any of the promised tax funds.
Adrienne Robbins, deputy executive director of the Ohio Cannabis Regulatory Authority (OHCann), acknowledged the delay and emphasized the importance of fulfilling that promise.
“We are really hoping those communities start to see those tax funds come in soon.”
Amplify’s Operations Director Sage Graham also noted that the rollout isn’t without its flaws. Unregulated vape shops, which don’t adhere to the same safety and testing standards as licensed dispensaries, remain a concern. “There’s not a lot of advertising, education, or marketing out there,” she said, highlighting a gap that could be addressed if tax funds were already reaching communities as planned.
Meanwhile, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management has yet to provide a timeline for when the General Assembly might approve the appropriation of these tax funds. This lack of clarity continues to leave local governments in limbo, unable to invest in education, safety, and health initiatives that these funds were meant to support.
In the meantime, the Ohio Department of Commerce is doing its part by launching online tools aimed at promoting safe and responsible cannabis use. While helpful, these efforts are only part of the equation.
Ultimately, Ohio's cannabis industry has proven itself a strong economic engine. Now, it’s time for the state to follow through on its commitment and ensure that tax funds are returned to the communities helping drive this success. Until then, the wait continues — and so do the questions.
