How many dispensaries are in Ohio?

As of March 2026, 204 dual-use dispensaries operate in Ohio. All converted from the medical program. Ohio law (SB 56) caps licenses at 400 with 1-mile buffer zones between dispensaries, but roughly 130 municipalities have moratoriums blocking new locations.

Ohio Dispensary Directory — 204 Dual-Use Locations

Q: Can Ohio municipalities ban dispensaries?

Yes. Approximately 130 Ohio municipalities have passed moratoriums or outright bans on cannabis businesses. This creates a patchwork where access depends heavily on geography. Cities generally opted in while rural areas and conservative suburbs opted out.

Legal Disclaimer: This information reflects Ohio cannabis law as of April 2026 and is for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change — always verify current rules with the Division of Cannabis Control or a qualified attorney. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law.

Last verified: March 2026

Ohio's Dispensary Landscape

As of March 2026, 204 dual-use dispensaries operate across Ohio. Every one of them converted from the state's medical program — there are no recreational-only shops. Ohio's adult-use law (Issue 2, passed November 2023) was rewritten by the legislature as SB 56, which set a 400-license cap with 1-mile buffer zones between dispensaries.

The gap between 204 operating and 400 allowed is not a sign of open opportunity. Roughly 130 municipalities have passed moratoriums or outright bans on cannabis businesses, creating large swaths of the state with no legal access. Rural Ohio and conservative suburbs are overwhelmingly opted out.

204

Dispensaries

400

License Cap

~130

Moratoriums

1 mi

Buffer Zone

Find Dispensaries by City

Columbus

The Landing drive-through, Nar Reserve downtown, Locals Cannabis, and the OSU area scene.

Cleveland

Klutch near Rocket Arena, The Botanist by Progressive Field, Shangri-La on St. Clair.

Cincinnati

Ascend next to Hard Rock Casino, Queen City near the KY border, OTR district.

Akron, Dayton & Toledo

Bloom Akron, Zen Leaf Dayton, RISE Toledo, and Ohio Cannabis Company.

Major Multi-State Operators

National cannabis companies dominate Ohio's dispensary landscape, holding the majority of licenses:

The Botanist (Acreage Holdings) — Akron, Canton, Columbus, Wickliffe. Among the largest footprints in Ohio.
RISE (Green Thumb Industries) — Cleveland, Lorain, Lakewood, Toledo. GTI's Ohio presence.
Zen Leaf (Verano Holdings) — Cincinnati, Canton, Bowling Green, Dayton. Broad geographic coverage.
Sunnyside (Cresco Labs) — Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Wintersville. Concentrated in southern and eastern Ohio.
Bloom — 7 locations including Akron, Maumee, and South Columbus. One of the largest single-brand footprints.
Shangri-La — Cleveland, Cincinnati, East Liverpool, Zanesville. Distinctive branding across four regions.
Verilife (PharmaCann) — Cincinnati, Hillsboro, Wapakoneta. Southern and western Ohio coverage.

Ohio Independents

While MSOs dominate, several Ohio-owned operators provide locally rooted alternatives:

Amplify — Cleveland Heights, Bedford, Columbus. Cleveland-area roots with Columbus expansion.
Pure Ohio Wellness — London, Dayton. Ohio-grown flower from their own cultivation facility.
Nar Reserve — Downtown Columbus. Boutique experience in the capital city.
Queen City Cannabis — Harrison, Norwood. Markets as the closest dispensary to the Kentucky border.
Locals Cannabis — Columbus, Cincinnati. Community-focused brand in Ohio's two largest metro areas.
Ohio Cannabis Company — Canton, Piqua. Small-market operator in northeast and west-central Ohio.
Verdant Creations — Columbus. A veteran of the medical program with a loyal customer base.

Verify a Licensed Dispensary

To confirm a dispensary is legally licensed, check the DCC Cannabis Dispensary Map. All licensed dispensaries display their DCC license prominently. Only purchase from licensed locations — unlicensed products are untested and illegal.

DCC Licensed Dispensary Map

The Moratorium Problem

Approximately 130 Ohio municipalities have enacted moratoriums or outright bans on cannabis businesses. This creates a patchwork where access depends heavily on geography. Residents in opted-out areas often drive 30–60 minutes to reach the nearest dispensary. The moratorium map roughly mirrors Ohio's urban-rural political divide — cities opted in, rural areas and conservative suburbs opted out.