CLEVELAND (WJW) – Marijuana sales in Ohio are experiencing a significant boom just weeks after dispensaries were licensed to sell recreational cannabis. Recreational marijuana officially went on sale on August 6 , following voter approval in November 2023 .
This surge in sales coincides with an increase in cannabis-related emergency room visits across the nation. Studies indicate that since 2019 , there has been a notable rise in marijuana-related ER visits.
Yes, marijuana can cause psychosis
Dr. Ryan Marino, an ER physician and medical toxicologist at University Hospitals, has observed an uptick in patients presenting with drug-related issues during that same period, although he clarifies that not all cases are directly linked to cannabis. “It’s not that they’re seeing tons of problems,” he said, noting that many ER visits involve various substances.
According to the Cleveland Department of Public Health, there were 632 cannabis-related ER visits in 2023. By contrast, alcohol remains the most used drug in emergency rooms, with 3,331 incidents reported this year.