Marijuana, weed, bud, dope, Mary Jane, flower — it seems like there are a million names for cannabis, and after Ohio voters gave the green light to recreational use in 2023, it may feel like there are a million types of products on the market.
If you’ve never set foot in a dispensary (the Akron area has five locations), the world of cannabis can be confusing. What’s the difference between THC and CBD? How do you know what kind of product is right for you? And what should you expect (and what could you purchase) on your first visit?
Recreational sales for adults first became available in Akron last fall — since then, the city has seen several dispensaries pop up. But not every potential new business has been welcomed — one proposed dispensary in Highland Square is raising concerns from businesses and residents in the area.
Signal Akron stopped by Bloom Medicinals, located at 737 E. North St. in Cascade Valley, to ask assistant general managers Zay Brown and Billy Sheafer what the cannabis-curious should know.
So, what is cannabis?
Cannabis is a plant commonly used for medicinal, recreational and industrial purposes (like textiles and paper). Dispensaries like Bloom, a dual-use dispensary, sell both recreational and medicinal cannabis.
There’s so much more to the plant than “getting high,” Brown said. She said people tend to focus on the psychoactive benefits because they do not understand the additional benefits — Sheafer said that many clients come in wanting a product that can aid with sleep or give relief for pain, anxiety or stress.
“It is holistic medicine, in the simplest terms,” Brown said.
Cannabidiol (CBD) is a compound, also called a cannabinoid, found in cannabis plants. It is marketed in products such as lotions, oils, capsules, food and drinks. CBD does not cause a “high” but can cause sleepiness or drowsiness, increased appetite or mood changes.
“CBD helps with a lot more of the medicinal part,” Sheafer said. “Of course, both are medicinal at the end of it, but CBD helps with, like, that pain and anxiety and stress relief that a lot of people are looking for.”
On the other end of the spectrum is Tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the substance in cannabis that causes a “high.”
“THC, obviously, is the one that does a bit more of the psychoactive, the fun kind of part of cannabis that a lot of people do look for,” Sheafer said.
One of the other forms of cannabis on the market is Delta-8 THC. Delta-8 THC causes only a fraction of the “high” THC does, according to Harvard Health Publisher. Trace quantities of the cannabinoid Delta-8 THC can be found in cannabis, but it can also be synthesized from hemp, a marijuana plant that contains 0.3% or less THC (by dry weight).
At dispensaries, marijuana products are often sorted into three categories: sativa, indica and hybrid. Each of these categories can help users predict the effects of a product, although sometimes a product can affect an individual differently.
Sheafer described sativa, which has more THC than CBD, as more of an “upper,” which can lead to more energy and creativity, while indica, which has more CBD than THC, is more of a downer, he said, which makes it suited for bedtime. And a hybrid is a cross between the two.
Dispensary agents are trying to break the stigma
Some 61.9 million people used cannabis in 2022, according to a report on drug use by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, but Brown and Sheafer agreed there is still a stigma surrounding the substance.
“You see it in our patients that’ll come through for the first time. They’ll say, ‘I’m not one to do this,’” Sheafer said.
His response: “Not one to use medicine?” He said that using cannabis is something that people will always be a little wary of, but once they get a chance to see what it could do for them, it can change their perspective.
Brown described cannabis as something that was frowned upon by her family and said she had to work to break the stigma.
“My take on it was to show my grandparents that it doesn’t have to be frowned upon, and to even give them insight on how they can deal with their back pains, knee aches, stuff like that.”
Sheafer said he tries to make sure new clients understand that they are safe at a dispensary — they won’t be under scrutiny or judgment.
“Everyone was a first-timer at some point,” Sheafer said.
What will happen when I visit a dispensary in Akron?
- Security first: You’ll likely be greeted by a security guard at the entrance.
- Bring your ID: All customers must be 21 or older and will be asked to show valid identification.
- Reception check-in: You’ll check in at a front desk, where your ID may be scanned or recorded.
- Wait your turn: Once called, you’ll be buzzed into the back area where cannabis products are displayed and sold.
- Shopping: A dispensary agent will help you choose products and answer any questions.
- Payment: Many dispensaries only accept cash or have ATMS on-site. Some may allow debit transactions, but credit cards are generally not accepted due to federal banking restrictions.
Which cannabis product is right for me?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to cannabis. Products vary in form, strength and method of use, and each offers different experiences or benefits. Some of the most common product types available in dispensaries are:
- Flower: The dried cannabis bud, which is typically smoked or vaporized, offers fast-acting effects.
- Vape cartridges: Pre-filled with cannabis oil, these are “essentially like a little oven that’ll cook your flower and allow you to get the vapor out of it. … It’s a lot smoother for most people and allows for a lot better flavor,” Sheafer said.
- Edibles: Food products infused with THC or CBD, like gummies or chocolates. They can take longer to kick in (30 to 90 minutes), and the effects can last several hours.
- Tinctures: Liquid cannabis extracts that are taken under the tongue or added to drinks.
- Topicals: Creams, balms or lotions that are applied to the skin for targeted relief without the “high.”
When first-time users come into the dispensary, Sheafer said, he will ask questions to help them stay away from products that may not be a good fit. For example, he would not recommend smoking to someone with lung issues, or he might suggest that a person with a weaker gag reflex avoid edibles and tinctures.
“It’s just kind of all based on the person. And with edibles as well, they can be not super, what’s the word, efficacious?” he said.
For example, when Sheafer consumes edibles, his liver processes the substance more quickly than it can take to enter his bloodstream. So, edible products can have a less pronounced effect on Sheafer than they might have on another individual.
Brown said that onset time (how fast someone wants the effects to take place) and how precise they want their dosages to be are also things that should be considered when selecting a product.
Things like tinctures are an option for individuals who want a more precise dose, Brown said. It is about tailoring your usage to what you really need, which is often a lower dosage when first starting. For new customers, she suggests starting with a lower dosage, like five milligrams, because a high dosage can mean more THC or cannabis flavor.
“A lot of people stray away from edibles specifically because they get high and intoxicated from too much of a dosage,” Brown said.
How much weed can I buy?
According to the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, non-medical marijuana consumers 21 years of age or older can possess up to 15 grams of extract (such as edibles) and 2.5 ounces of another form (such as cannabis flower).
The DCC said that recreational users cannot purchase more than 10 whole-day units of cannabis per day. This means consumers can buy up to one ounce of plant material or 10 packages of edibles totaling not more than 1,100 milligrams of THC total.
When bringing cannabis products home, they should be stored somewhere safe, away from children and pets.
“Definitely high up and far away,” Sheafer said. “Put it on a high shelf, or a lockbox, just anywhere that, you know, the little ones can’t get to.”
Where can I buy weed in and around Akron?
There are a few dual-use dispensaries near Akron, including:
- Bloom Medicinals, 737 E. North St., Akron
- The Botanist, 46 S. Summit St., Akron
- Culture Cannabis Club, 1568 E. Archwood Ave., Akron
- FRX Health of Cuyahoga Falls, 1682 State Road, Cuyahoga Falls
- Curaleaf Cuyahoga Falls, 1220 Buchholzer Blvd., Cuyahoga Falls
Check out the map of Ohio’s (medical and dual-use) dispensaries here.
Where can I smoke weed in Ohio?
Smoking is still prohibited in public places such as parks. Doing so is categorized as a minor misdemeanor. You also cannot smoke weed in a vehicle, whether you are driving or not.
But you can smoke at home or on other private property where smoking is allowed.
