LEBANON, Ohio -- The Cincinnati area's first medical marijuana dispensary opened its doors at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
About Wellness, the first of seven to open in Greater Cincinnati, is located in a strip mall at 1525 Genntown Drive.
Manager Mac Amin said he knows not everyone in the area will welcome or understand the dispensary, but he said he believes that there are people in the community who can benefit from what medical marijuana offers.
No one is allowed inside the building without a card from a doctor certified to recommend medical marijuana, he added. Patrons have to hold their medical marijuana cards up to the glass door before a worker can buzz them in.
When they step inside, they’re able to fill orders for products such as gummies, oils and tinctures. Ohio dispensaries are not allowed to sell smokable marijuana. Amin said all of the products will be cultivated and processed in Ohio.
Melissa West was among the dozens of people waiting in line at the dispensary. West said she has post-traumatic stress disorder that causes anxiety and night terrors. She said her psychiatrist helped her make the decision to get a medical marijuana card over a year ago.
West bought gummies and tincture to get some relief from her PTSD.
"I'm proud to say I don't take any medicine anymore,” West said. “It's completely changed my life."
