Recreational marijuana sales begin in Oxford

Bella Bodenstein, a previous Consume Oxford employee, was first in line at the dispensary at 9 a.m. Aug. 6 to buy recreational marijuana.

"I thought I was gonna have to get here way earlier," Bodenstein said. "I was talking to some people who were buying that said that Spencer's in Cincinnati, like, Sunnyside and such, people had been camped out since 2 a.m. Thankfully, this place is not like that. A little bit more out of the way over here."

Consume was one of nearly 100 dispensaries across the state cleared by the Division of Cannabis Control to begin recreational sales on Tuesday, Aug. 6. The dispensaries were notified of the decision on Aug. 2.

A line of 10-15 people wrapped around the building in the morning, Bodenstein said. At Pure Iconic, Oxford's other dispensary, designated representative William Pesenecker said roughly 20 people lined up outside his store.

Consume Oxford general manager Deanna Evans said since they opened their doors that morning, she's seen an 85% increase in sales. Pesenecker said he experienced something similar at Pure Iconic, noting their sales have quadrupled.

"As the week goes on, we get to later in the month, I think it's gonna be busier," Pesenecker said. "It's just gonna keep intensifying."

According to the DCC, the initial non-medical cannabis license applications are only open to current medical marijuana license holders.

Evans said that even though Consume changed from solely medicinal, they still want to remain a professional medical "classy not trashy" environment. Current sales are limited to products that were available under medical licenses, but that could expand with additional guidance from the state.

Pesenecker had a similar mindset, wanting Pure Iconic's brand to stay the same, but with more foot traffic. He also added that the prices will be the same between the two, but recreational will have sales tax.

"I want to keep the educational elements and sort of the flow of business we have," Pesenecker said. "... There's a lot more confidentiality and things that go into a medical center, whereas with recreation, we're kind of just gonna have to feel it out and see whatever helps most efficiently serve the public."

Medical patients have a maximum 90-day possession limit established in law, according to the Medical Marijuana Control Program.

The DCC limited non-medical sales to 10 whole day units of cannabis combined across all forms, the maximum quantity that someone may collectively purchase at a single time, ensuring medical marijuana patients have adequate supply.

Whole day units for non-medical marijuana are equal to 1/10 oz. of dry flower; 295mg of topics including THC contained in a patch, lotion, cream or ointment; 110mg of edibles including THC contained in an oil, tincture, capsule or edible for oral administration; and 590mg of vaporization oils, according to Terrasana, an Ohio-based cannabis company.

Gabbie Vitale and Quentin Vanderpoll were two of the hundreds of customers buying weed products on Aug. 6.

"We just heard of a bunch of recreational places opening up around here, and we thought we would try it out," Vitale said. "We've been smoking for a long time."

Vitale, 24, said that for her, it's always been a recreational past time, and Vanderpoll, 23, agreed, but said he also self medicates with it.

The duo said they prefer a water pipe or bong and that the process of purchasing something from Consume was hospitable and professional.

"It was very organized," Vanderpoll said, "kind of like the BMV but for buying marijuana."

Vitale said she's excited for the installation of the dual-use dispensaries because of the progress they symbolize.

"I remember voting for recreational a couple months ago," Vitale said. "So I'm really excited to see what this does for jobs and also just for harm reduction stuff like that."