pre-roll market report
Our analysis identifies both positive trends and negative red flags to help you make better decisions for your brand and business.
Overview
Ohio kicked off their adult-use market in a way that we hadn’t seen before. Products that were available in their existing medical market would be available in the adult-use market. However, products that were not available in their medical market, like pre-rolls, would be added sometime after the Aug 1, 2024 date of retail sales beginning. The claimed regulatory issues, compliance, blah blah blah. The timeline wasn’t apparent to anyone and was a moving target. When they finally got their sh*t together it was a year later. And while pre-rolls were technically available for purchase starting August 1, 2025, they weren’t really readily available in the market until the end of that month, at best.
We consider this Ohio Market Report to be a first look at the pre-roll category in the state. We only have six months of data, and the category as well as the pre-roll manufacturers are very much still figuring themselves out.
Revenue:
$15,750,916
T3M
Infused pre-roll sales:
$4,228,185
T3M Share = 26.8%
Non-infused pre-roll sales:
$11,522,731
T3M Share = 73.2%
Total Units
217,738
Total Units
909,656
Dogwalkers
Buckeye
The Essence
Woodward Fine Cannabis
Certified
Dogwalkers – Afternoon Delight – Pre-Rolled, 0.35g, 5 Pack
Buckeye – Garlic Breath – Live Resin Infused Pre-Rolled, 0.50g, 3 Pack
Buckeye – Grapefruit Sour Dream – Live Resin Infused Pre-Rolled, 0.50g, 3 Pack
Dogwalkers – Animal Scout – Pre-Rolled, 0.35g, 5 Pack
Dogwalkers – Scout Dawg – Pre-Rolled, 0.35g, 5 Pack
Who’s Smoking?
Dogwalkers
Buckeye Pre-Rolls
Woodward Fine Cannabis
ANALYSIS
BATTLE OF THE BIG DOGS
MSOs are playing an outsized role in Ohio’s pre-roll game. For now.
8 MSOs are in the top 20 brands by revenue, with GTI and Verano in the top 3. Their early dominance isn’t surprising as they’ve entered the market with established infrastructure and scaled production. Their readiness matters in a newly expanding category like pre-rolls, where speed from plant to shelf can define early market share.
Don’t count out the locals though. Buckeye is neck and neck with GTI for the top position. As the market matures, there is a strong case that local and craft-focused brands could continue to close the gap, if not overtake, some of the early MSO leaders.
When pre-rolls were approved, it wasn’t like the entire market could immediately participate. The state had to approve specific processors first, and naturally, the groups that were already more established (often MSOs) were in a better position to get through that process faster.
On top of that, those early-approved processors already had existing relationships with certain dispensaries, so their products were the first ones you started seeing on shelves.
Ohio
- Industry InsiderInfused Pre-Rolls Take Off
Ohio’s pre-roll scene is blowing up in the best way. Twelve of the top 20 products are infused now, and they’re driving some serious numbers. $4.23M in the last three months alone, up from the $1.9M the quarter before, with units more than doubling to 217,738. That’s a 26.8% slice of the market and nearly 8% share growth in just three months. Traditional pre-rolls still make up the bulk of the market at 73.2%, but the speed at which infused products are catching on shows that people are hungry for more potent, convenient, and flavorful options. Basically, infused pre-rolls went from “nice to have” to “can’t ignore” almost overnight, and the brands pushing them are reaping the rewards.
Ohio Market Potential and Growth Trajectory
Ohio stands out as a market with strong long-term upside thanks to its population size and early adoption of medical cannabis products. Even in the first few months of meaningful pre-roll availability, the category has already shown steady increases in both sales and unit movement. The shift from $10.0M in P3M sales to $15.7M in T3M sales highlights a market that is still early in its growth but moving quickly. This momentum points to significant room for continued expansion as more consumers enter the market and access improves. As retail availability increases and consumer awareness builds, Ohio is well positioned to support a diverse mix of brands, ranging from value-driven options to higher-end products.
From a customer perspective, the selection can still feel a bit limited right now. It’s not necessarily a lack of interest or capability, it’s just that the supply side is still catching up to demand as more processors get approved.
Over time, you should start to see more variety hit the shelves as additional operators come online and the market evens out a bit.
Ohio
- Industry InsiderOverall, the early data suggests a market that is still developing but has the potential to grow into one of the larger cannabis markets in the region.
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