A jar filled with marijuana flowers. The lid sits next to the bottle.
Issue 2 legalized recreational marijuana use for adults. Credit: Signal Cleveland

It’s been a long wait since the passage of Issue 2, which legalized recreational marijuana use in Ohio, and the start of sales. But you made it. Starting Aug. 6, nearly 100 existing medical marijuana dispensaries in the state will receiving the licenses allowing them to serve anyone over 21, with or without a medical marijuana card.

These are the so-called dual-use dispensaries in and around Cleveland that will be authorized to sell recreational marijuana products the week of Aug. 6. The ones in bold have confirmed to Signal Cleveland or publicly that they will open their doors to adult recreational users immediately. We’ll keep updating this post.

Legal weed in Cleveland

RISE, 1222 Prospect Ave. East, 216-243-0165

Shangri-La Dispensary, 4618 Saint Clair Ave., 216-417-0426

The Landing Dispensary, 1978 W. 3rd St., 216-770-4089

The Botanist, 3865 Lakeside Ave. East, 216-930-6550

Therapy Medical Cannabis, 13429 Lakewood Heights Blvd., 216-471-8278

Legal weed in Cleveland Heights

Amplify, 1782 Coventry Rd., 216-465-3920

Legal weed in Lakewood

RISE, two locations: 11818 Madison Ave. (216-273-0088) and 18607 Detroit Ave. (216-273-0062)

Legal weed in Garfield Heights

Terrasana, 10500 Antenucci Blvd., 216-232-2527

Legal weed in Euclid

Nectar, 21100 Saint Clair Ave., 216-400-6889

Ahead of schedule 

The Ohio Division of Cannabis Control is “months ahead” of the permitting schedule set by Issue 2, said Tom Haren, spokesperson for the Ohio Cannabis Coalition. 

Haren expects that the DCC will begin issuing provisional licenses for new dispensaries selling only to recreational users in a few weeks. But opening those stores could take a few months. The owners of those dispensaries still have to work with local officials on permits for building or renovating their spaces.

Medical vs. recreational marijuana

None of this has any effect on medical marijuana sales, which have been legal in Ohio since 2016. The dual-use dispensaries will still serve people with medical marijuana cards, and those customers can avoid the 10% sales tax on recreational products.

Let’s be careful out there

Issue 2 does not grant a statewide license to chill. It’s illegal (and also rude) to smoke in public places, and it’s illegal to drive under the influence of any cannabis product.

If you need help for substance abuse, call 988. The hotline provides free and confidential crisis support.

Associate Editor and Director of the Editors’ Bureau (he/him)
Important stories are hiding everywhere, and my favorite part of journalism has always been the collaboration, working with colleagues to find the patterns in the information we’re constantly gathering. I don’t care whose name appears in the byline; the work is its own reward. As Batman said to Commissioner Gordon in “The Dark Knight,” “I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be.”