Since the legalization of medical marijuana in Ohio, the program has been growing rapidly, even exceeding projections set by other thriving markets like Illinois and Massachusetts. Though growth has been steady since the program’s inception, there has been a spike in patient registration over the last year – with a 44% increase in August of 2022 compared to the previous year.
While demand for medical cannabis is high, access is limited, and patients must often drive long distances to reach a licensed dispensary. One study found that an estimated 20% of Ohio medical marijuana patients had to drive up to 30 miles to reach a cannabis retailer, especially in areas like Western Ohio.
Although Ohio does not have recreational cannabis yet, polls show that a majority of Ohioans are in favor of legalization. Though recreational cannabis legalization will not be on the ballot in Ohio this November, it is likely that the issue will be presented to voters in 2023.
Until then, the state is focused on expanding patient access to medical cannabis while ensuring only compliant dispensaries are licensed and operating. With a round of recently licensed dispensaries about to open, the market is eager for the increased access, additional products, and new shopping experiences these stores will offer.
Licensing & Compliance
The first medical cannabis dispensaries in the state opened in January 2019, and the state has already generated over $130 million in tax revenue and fees. In Ohio, cannabis dispensaries are licensed by the state’s Board of Pharmacy, and during the most recent acceptance window, the regulatory authority received over 1400 applications for 73 dispensary licenses.
Prior to accepting applications, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy had announced that many of these newly licensed dispensaries would be located in districts which currently have no retail cannabis businesses. Additional dispensaries would be located in districts with high patient volume and demand for cannabis, such as near the Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland areas. Now that licenses have been awarded to qualified dispensary applicants, these licensees have 270-days to build-out their retailers and undergo an inspection – a deadline that is soon approaching in February 2023.
Shopping Experience & Brand Design
Since the deadline to open is only a few months away, these newly licensed dispensaries are hard at work designing their stores and building out their locations. It can be challenging for cannabis retailers to open on such a short timeframe, but there are strategies that can help stores create a dispensary design quickly. Prospective dispensary owners should consult with experts in design to expedite this process and ensure the design is compliant.In Ohio, there are a few security regulations in place that impact the design of the store. One such regulation requires that dispensaries always restrict access to cannabis. This means that cannabis on display in the sales area must be secured within display cases that protect the product. Display cases for traditional retailers may not be able to accommodate this regulation while still showcasing cannabis properly, and custom-designed display tables and fixtures can be costly and take months to produce.
The ideal solution for quick dispensary design is to utilize pre-engineered fixtures and displays designed for the cannabis industry, such as those offered in The Module System What might take a custom job three to six months to build-out, can be accomplished in six to eight weeks using pre-engineered options. Then, custom pieces and aesthetic elements can be implemented around this base to create a distinct and identifiable brand.
The Module System allows dispensaries to focus on the shopping experience and brand design rather than investing extensive time designing custom tables, fixtures, and displays to meet regulations. This encourages dispensary owners to concentrate on the elements that make their store unique and reduces the risk of lengthy delays due to supply chain issues.
Though new dispensary operators may feel a rush to open quickly, it is important that the design, operational flow, and experience provided by the space do not suffer. While there may be few competitors now, customers in Ohio’s major cities will soon have multiple options for preferred dispensaries and it is likely that the state will license additional retailers in the future when recreational cannabis is legalized. New brands will need to establish what sets their dispensary apart from competition and leads to repeat customers – while still designing a compliant and functional store on schedule.
Why Choose SevenPoint Interiors?
SevenPoint Interiors’ is a premium retail design and manufacturing company specifically designated to the cannabis space -serving as a one-stop-resource by providing turnkey solutions to elevate the cannabis industry through retail design, for an enhanced shopping experience. Founded in 2017, as a division of Visual Elements Manufacturing -a leading retail design and manufacturing creative agency based in Toronto, Canada working on projects globally -SevenPoint Interiors is focused on enhancing the cannabis experience for patients and dispensary owners. With vertically integrated solutions, state-of-the-art commercial-grade equipment with manufacturing capabilities to execute custom fabrication and specialty finishes, the firm has strategically placed itself in a position to support multiple types of clients and retail projects inclusive to all budgets.
Looking to Hire a Dispensary Designer?
We provide custom interior design for cannabis dispensaries. If you think we’d make a good fit, contact our team today.