Ohio’s legal cannabis market has passed a symbolic—and economically meaningful—milestone. New figures from the state show total legal marijuana sales in Ohio have surpassed $3 billion, combining both the medical program that launched in 2019 and adult-use (“non-medical”) sales that began in August 2024. The state’s Division of Cannabis Control (DCC)—housed within the Ohio Department of Commerce—reported $3.03 billion in lifetime sales as of mid-September 2025; subsequent weekly updates suggest the tally continued to climb into the fall. READ MORE ABOUT: Marijuana Moment
Below is a data-driven look at what’s fueling the surge, how prices and product mix are trending, and where the market may go next.
The $3 Billion Threshold: What’s In the Number?
According to a DCC update summarized by industry press, Ohio recorded $3,036,756,851 in cumulative purchases as of September 13, 2025. That breaks down to roughly $2.2 billion in medical sales and $802 million in adult-use sales to that date. The state also reported nearly 40 million total receipts, alongside 458,000+ pounds of plant material and ~44.4 million manufactured product units sold since the medical program began.
The DCC’s Historical Sales Data file confirms the program’s timelines at a glance: medical sales began January 14, 2019; non-medical sales began August 6, 2024. The weekly ledger provides cumulative totals for products sold, receipts, and average prices—allowing observers to trace the ramp from the first adult-use week through the billion-dollar mark and beyond.
A Fast-Rising Adult-Use Segment
While Ohio’s medical market laid the groundwork, the adult-use launch in August 2024 changed the curve. In the first several months of adult-use, state data showed:
- Rapid accumulation of non-medical sales: by late February 2025, adult-use sales had already crossed $333 million, and by early March they topped $362 million—with weekly average plant prices hovering near 6.80–7.00 per gram.
- Steady growth in adult-use unit counts: by March 1, 2025, Ohio counted 6.0 million adult-use manufactured units sold alongside 52,000+ pounds of adult-use plant material—signaling rising throughput, even as prices stayed relatively stable.
Those early patterns carried into the summer: by June 2025, cumulative non-medical product sales surpassed $571 million, and total sales (medical + non-medical) reached about $2.75 billion, setting up the state to cross $3 billion later in Q3.
Prices, Baskets, and Product Mix
Ohio’s average prices in early 2025 were competitive compared to many maturing markets:
- Average plant price (retail) frequently printed around 6.70–7.00 per gram in the first quarter of 2025, with the state also publishing a “per 1/10 oz” benchmark (commonly in the 19–20 range during Q1).
- Manufactured products (vapes, edibles, concentrates, etc.) showed average unit prices around 27–29 in the same span, based on weekly reporting.
On mix, the DCC’s counts show how significant manufactured products have become for Ohio’s consumers. By mid-September 2025, the state tallied ~44 million manufactured units sold since program inception—an indicator of broadening preferences beyond flower as shelves diversified and more adult-use formats came online.
Demand Drivers: Why Ohio Is Scaling Quickly
1) A large medical base primed the pump. Years of medical operations created a licensed infrastructure—cultivators, processors, testing labs, and retail operators—capable of adding adult-use volume without starting from scratch. Early-2025 cumulative medical sales were already above $2.1 billion, with 18+ million medical receipts recorded, providing a stable foundation for the transition.
2) Cross-border and metro-area dynamics. Ohio sits amid populous neighbors and benefits from major metro areas (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton). Industry analysts have argued that cross-border interest and dense urban demand could help Ohio scale toward multi-billion-dollar annual run rates as access points expand and product selection broadens. (Market-research summaries flagged this dynamic heading into late 2025.) READ MORE ABOUT: Mosaic
3) Manageable pricing and steady supply. Average retail prices that avoid extremes help drive repeat purchasing. The DCC’s weekly averages—rarely spiking in early 2025—imply a supply chain that, while still maturing, kept pace with adult-use demand enough to avoid the sustained shortages or price surges that can dampen growth.
How Ohio Compares
Cross-state comparisons are imperfect, but hitting $3+ billion cumulative roughly a year after adult-use launch underscores strong blended demand from medical and non-medical channels. Early adult-use weeks in Ohio also posted eye-catching figures: media and local data tallied $11.5 million in the first five days and $22+ million within two weeks of opening, a brisk start even relative to other Midwestern launches. READ MORE: New York Post
By autumn 2025, additional trade outlets pointed to $3.1+ billion cumulative sales, reflecting weekly increases beyond the September threshold. Those reports, citing DCC updates, also noted cumulative flower pounds approaching 480,000 and manufactured units nearing 47 million, illustrating the continued march upward deep into Q4. (Always confirm against the state’s latest weekly PDF.) READ MORE HERE: The Marijuana Herald
Policy Context and Next Steps
Ohio voters approved adult-use in November 2023 (Issue 2). The state proceeded to stand up adult-use retail in August 2024, with the DCC publishing steady weekly snapshots thereafter. While rules and license conversions evolved through 2024–2025, the core storyline is clear: Ohio translated voter approval into operational sales relatively quickly, and consumer demand has met the moment. READ MORE ABOUT: AP News
Looking ahead, three themes will shape the next leg of growth:
- Retail Footprint Expansion. As more dispensaries complete adult-use conversions and new storefronts open, access will rise—typically a leading indicator for sales velocity in newly legal states. (Watch the DCC’s weekly PDF and “By the Numbers” briefs for updated counts and throughput.)
- Category Diversification. Ohio’s early data show significant traction in manufactured goods. Expect deeper edible, beverage, and vape assortments, plus broader ranges in potency and price tiers—key to capturing both value-oriented and premium shoppers.
- Price Normalization. As cultivation and processing scale, wholesale stability typically improves, supporting consistent retail pricing. Ohio’s Q1–Q2 2025 averages suggest a market already finding a stable lane on price—fertile ground for sustained adult-use growth.
Why This Milestone Matters
Crossing $3 billion is not just a headline; it’s a sign that the legal channel is capturing a growing share of consumer demand that previously leaked to illicit markets or neighboring states. For policymakers, the data create a clearer view into tax revenue, job creation, and regulatory performance. For operators and investors, Ohio is emerging as a Midwest anchor market—with a large medical base, stable pricing, and growing adult-use adoption.
And for consumers, the trend typically means better access, more competition, and wider choice—delivered under tested, labeled, and regulated conditions.
Note: Ohio publishes weekly updates; figures above reflect the latest snapshots available at the time of writing. For the most current totals, consult the DCC’s weekly “Historical Sales Data” file.