Dispensary Near Covington, KY

Is recreational cannabis legal in Kentucky?

No. Kentucky’s cannabis program, launched in 2025, covers medical use only and requires a state-issued medical card for a qualifying condition. There is no adult-use recreational sales program in Kentucky, so Covington residents without a medical card have no legal in-state option.

That leaves a real gap for adults who want legal access without pursuing a medical qualification. Ohio, just across the river, has run licensed adult-use recreational sales since August 2024 under the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, open to any adult 21 or older with valid ID.

We are not going to pretend this is a workaround or a loophole. It is a different state with a different, more permissive law, the same way any Ohio resident driving into a neighboring state operates under that state’s rules once they cross the line.

Kentucky’s medical program continues to develop separately from Ohio’s adult-use market, and the two systems do not recognize each other. An Ohio recreational purchase is not valid under Kentucky’s medical law, and a Kentucky medical card does not grant any special status at an Ohio recreational counter.

Which Ohio dispensary is closest to Covington?

The Garden’s Camp Washington store sits just off I-75, a short drive north across the Brent Spence Bridge from Covington. It is one of the nearest licensed recreational dispensaries to the river for Northern Kentucky shoppers making the trip into Ohio.

I-75 runs directly from Covington across the bridge into Cincinnati, putting Camp Washington within easy reach without navigating downtown surface streets. Free on-site parking is available, and the store serves both recreational and Ohio medical marijuana customers at the same counter.

The route stays on the interstate for most of the trip, which tends to be more predictable than surface streets through downtown, particularly during weekday rush hour on either side of the river.

Serving store

Camp Washington

Address

2927 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45225

Store hours

Daily 9AM to 10PM

What has to stay in Ohio after I buy it?

Everything. Cannabis purchased at an Ohio dispensary is legal to possess and use only within Ohio. Carrying it back across the state line into Kentucky, even a small amount, is a federal offense because it crosses a state boundary, regardless of either state’s individual laws.

This is federal law, not a state technicality, and it applies whether you are driving, walking, or crossing on foot. Ohio’s legal status does not extend across the bridge, and Kentucky’s current medical-only law does not recognize an Ohio recreational purchase as legal there.

The honest guidance is straightforward: if you buy in Ohio, use it in Ohio, before you head back across the river.

This is worth repeating because it is the single most important fact on this page: state legality is not portable. A purchase that is completely legal in Camp Washington becomes a federal transport violation the moment it crosses the Ohio River into Kentucky.

What can Covington shoppers buy at The Garden?

The Camp Washington menu covers flower, pre-rolls, infused pre-rolls, vape cartridges, concentrates, edibles, drinks, tinctures and topicals, and accessories, all from licensed Ohio cultivators and processors and tested by state-approved labs before sale.

First-time visitors from out of state often start with flower or pre-rolls since they are the most straightforward format to understand. The full current selection is always on the Camp Washington menu.

Every product on the shelf has gone through the same state-mandated testing regardless of category, so the same quality baseline applies whether you are buying flower or a vape cartridge.

Does The Garden have a drive-thru?

Yes. Camp Washington runs a drive-thru daily from 9AM to 11PM, an hour past the lobby’s 10PM close. Order ahead on the online menu, bring a valid photo ID, and pick up without leaving the car, the same rules as the counter.

Out-of-state IDs, including Kentucky driver’s licenses, are accepted the same as Ohio IDs. Residency is not a requirement to shop, only being 21 or older with valid identification.

For visitors unfamiliar with Ohio’s rules more broadly, our Kentucky visitor guide covers what to know before making the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions