Akron’s medical cannabis patients still favor flower over edibles—and by a clear margin. State sales data show flower has led Ohio’s medical market for years, accounting for roughly 52% of sales in 2023, while edibles captured about 14%. More recent analyses keep flower on top at around 54% of legal sales statewide, reinforcing that inhalable plant material remains the most popular format as adult-use rolled out and medical continued.

Why flower wins

Flower holds its lead for three main reasons: price, speed, and control. As prices for Ohio’s required one-tenth-ounce units declined, more patients returned to—or stayed with—vaporizing flower for fast onset and easy titration. Even with Ohio’s “no combustion” rule for medical patients, vaporizing dried flower delivers effects within minutes and lets patients adjust dose puff-by-puff. This remains a key reason clinicians and patient surveys find format choice often tracks symptom timing and desired control.

Local brand preferences

In the Akron area specifically, brand familiarity also tilts the scales. Akron-based Klutch Cannabis is a statewide leader across categories, particularly prized for top-shelf flower and solventless offerings. Klutch has also been ranked as the number one brand in Ohio’s medical channel. Other flower leaders patients seek out include Buckeye Relief, Certified Cultivators of Dayton, Riviera Creek from Youngstown, and Butterfly Effect by Grow Ohio. These names consistently appear among best sellers, giving patients a reliable short list when browsing menus at Akron dispensaries.

Edibles gaining steady ground

That said, edibles are steadily carving out a role for patients who prioritize discretion, longer relief, and precise milligram dosing. In Akron dispensaries, patients frequently reach for Buckeye Relief’s Wana-licensed gummies, Klutch’s live-rosin gummies, Beneleaves’ peanut-butter chocolate bites, Encore edibles from Verano, and full-spectrum RSO gummies from Firelands Scientific. These products are widely stocked, offer predictable 5–10 mg units, and cater to patients who prefer to avoid inhalation altogether.

Two market currents

Two market currents help explain the local split. First, the state recently increased daily purchase limits for flower, which sustains strong demand among inhalation-first patients. Second, adult-use launch expanded overall selection and competition, pushing prices down on many items, including flower, while edibles retained their dosing advantages but generally higher per-milligram costs. These factors heavily influence format choice for cost-sensitive patients.

The bottom line

For Akron patients, flower remains more popular than edibles because it is faster-acting, more adjustable, and increasingly affordable. Trusted Ohio brands like Klutch, Certified Cultivators, Buckeye Relief, Riviera Creek, and Butterfly Effect continue to anchor purchase decisions. Edibles, however, have grown into the go-to option for discretion, sleep support, and steady, long-lasting relief, with Wana (by Buckeye Relief), Klutch, Beneleaves, Encore, and Firelands Scientific topping many shopping lists.

Patients deciding between the two should weigh onset time—minutes for flower versus 30–90 minutes for edibles—duration (1–3 hours for flower compared to 4–8+ hours for edibles), and total cost per dose. Above all, sticking with reputable Ohio brands ensures access to products with consistent cannabinoid content and transparent lab testing.