COLUMBUS, Ohio (WKRC) – According to the State of Ohio Board of Pharmacy, medical marijuana sales in Ohio in the past two weeks have dropped.

More medical marijuana dispensaries in Ohio are opening in 2019, but it’s happening slowly. The number of patients signed up for their medical marijuana card in the first three months was around 20,000. Less than 30 percent of that number made a purchase, according to the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy.

“If you look at the number of patients that have registered and the amount of people who’ve made their first sale, the discrepancy is because there are not enough dispensaries online right now. As more open up in the state, I think you will see that number going up,” said Jason Erkes.

Erkes is a spokesperson from Cresco Labs. The company has 14 open dispensaries across the United States. One of them is in Wintersville. He says their shop hasn’t seen a decrease in sales and are serving new customers daily.

“Any regulated program is going to cost more, but the cost of medical cannabis in Ohio is not that different from states like Pennsylvania. It’s right in line for what regular pricing is,” said Erkes.

The average price of Ohio for an ounce of cannabis is $470. That’s double the price in Michigan where Ohio patients can use their cards. Many in Cincinnati are questioning why the dispensaries are taking so long to open. They’re also wondering why one hasn’t opened in our area.

“I don’t think its Cincinnati, Columbus or Cleveland. It depends on the people — how long it takes them to build their facilities and get them done right. At the end of the day, you want to get it done right. Cincinnati will be there soon. And the rest of the state as well,” said Erkes.