Ohio’s cannabis distribution landscape is experiencing a dynamic shift in product trends, reflecting evolving consumer preferences and a maturing industry. Several key patterns are emerging from reliable market data and distributor reports:

Premium flower remains foundational

In May 2025, the average price of an eighth of flower in Ohio stood at $22.87, marginally up 4.2% year-over-year. Distributors confirm that high-potency and craft-batch flower still command strong demand, particularly strains like GMO Cookies and Butterfly Effect’s Layer Cake, both ranking high in recent sales. This suggests consumers continue to prioritize quality and potency.

Vapor pens and concentrates surge

Vapor pens now represent $23.83 M in sales—up a staggering 151% YoY. Trends show distributors are stocking more cartridge formats and dab products, citing ease of use, speed, and discretion as drivers. Concentrates also grew by 81% YoY, reinforcing consumer appetite for potent, convenient extracts.

Edibles—gummies and chews dominate

Ohio edible sales hit $11.09 M in May, up 123.6% year-over-year. Gummies alone contributed $10 M, with year-over-year growth of nearly 130%. Meanwhile, chews and taffies surged even more at 190%, showcasing a growing palate for novelty and flavorful dosing options. Distributors highlight consistent refill requests for batch-specific gummies and methods of dosing transparency.

Beverages gaining traction

Though still a small slice—0.9% of total cannabis sales—beverage sales are rising fast (+79% YoY in Q1 2025). Distributors note success with lower-dose drinks (2.5–5 mg THC), appealing to micro-dosing consumers. Popular flavor profiles include strawberry lemonade and root beer, signaling a desire for mainstream, palate-friendly options.

Packaging and regulatory shifts drive formats

Ohio retailers recently shifted to standardized “Ohio-tenth” (2.83 g) packaging—a move distributors say helps streamline logistics and reduce shelf overload. Additionally, the state doubled the daily flower purchase limit to 2.5 oz per customer. Distributors are adjusting inventory strategies accordingly, stocking more single-serving and multi-pack formats to cater to heavier adult-use consumers.

Brand specialization & category segmentation

Distributors are noting increased requests for specialized brands—often vertical operators offering flower, edibles, beverages, or vapor pens under tight quality controls. Multi-state and regionally focused brands—like Butterfly Effect—are performing well, especially in beverages and flower. This specialization helps distributors and retailers differentiate on shelf and attract niche consumer segments.

Strategic Insights from Distributors

• Inventory optimization: As flower prices climb (~3.7% from April to May), distributors are urging buyers to balance premium and value SKUs.
• Tech & traceability: Adoption of inventory management platforms is rising to support real-time tracking and compliance under evolving regulations.
• Demand for novelty: Launch frequency is accelerating—limited-batch concentrates, seasonal edibles, and hybrid THC-CBD beverages are drawing consumer buzz.

Outlook

As Ohio’s adult-use cannabis market matures, distributors report a multi-pronged trend: premium, potent flower, high-demand extracts, flavor-forward edibles, and micro-dose beverages. Growing regulatory stability—standard packaging, adjusted purchase limits, robust IT infrastructure—are enabling them to offer both depth in core categories and depth in innovation. For distributors, a balanced portfolio across potency levels and consumption styles appears essential to meet diverse market demand.