When Will Pre-Rolled Joints Be Available at Ohio Dispensaries?

Pre-rolled cannabis should enter the Ohio market in 2025 Credit: Elsa Olofsson at CBD Oracle/FlickrCC

Cleveland dispensaries may soon be selling pre-rolled joints, per protocols released by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control late last year. This evolution of the state’s recreational program would provide new and veteran consumers alike access to a highly sought-after product.

“We have been constantly asked about pre-rolls, especially when we first launched (recreational sales) during the first few weeks of August,” said Julie Winter, co-chief revenue officer of Ayr Wellness, a Miami-based cannabis company with a retail shop in Woodmere. “People were almost shocked that (pre-rolls) weren’t available.”

The DCC unveiled its proposed regulations in December, updating guidelines for dispensaries, processors, grow facilities and others connected to the state recreational marijuana program. According to the new rules, cannabis pre-rolls are categorized as “raw single-serving units” and “infused single-serving units.”

“A raw single serving unit contains only plant material and the paper,” said James Crawford, public information officer of the DCC, in an email. “An infused single serving unit contains plant material, THC extract and the paper. Defining these separately is important as all cannabis is subject to tracking and testing requirements.”

The DCC submitted its rules package to Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted’s Common Sense Initiative on Dec. 6. Once cleared by CSI – which reviews business-impacting regulations for the Buckeye State – the package must be passed by the Ohio General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review before any change can take effect, Crawford said.

In the meantime, local dispensaries are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to offer pre-rolls to their customers. Would-be imbibers appreciate the convenience and portability of single-serving joints, though Ayr Wellness storefronts outside of Ohio offer multiple pre-roll packs as well.

“You can get a cone-shaped pre-roll in one gram, half a gram or a third of a gram,” said Robert Vanisko, vice president of public engagement with the company. “Then they come in singles, doubles or larger packs. Some markets do infused pre-rolls where they’re adding concentrated cannabis oils, but you usually see that in more mature markets.”

Ayr Wellness is currently evaluating the necessary equipment for pre-roll production, while weighing updated advertising rules set forth by the DCC. Constraints on marketing include billboards, television spots, internet promotion, and other forms of advertising “with a high likelihood of reaching persons under the age of 18.”

Revenue officer Winter anticipates a relatively smooth transition to pre-roll sales, given that the company already distributes cannabis flower from the same suppliers that would provide pre-roll products, she said.

As for actually promoting these offerings, Winter said that banner ads highlighting new products could be featured on the Ayr Wellness website. In addition, loyalty program members may receive text messages and emails announcing the availability of pre-rolls in stores.

“Even without billboards and outward advertising, we could have age-appropriate events, or partner with other businesses,” Winter said. “We could have signage in our stores that pre-rolls are coming soon, though we’re not giving a heads-up now, because we don’t have a solid timeline yet.”

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