HUDSON, Ohio — It's a waiting game for the first medical marijuana dispensaries in Ohio to get the green light from the state to begin recreational marijuana sales, expected by many in the industry to happen by the end of the month.
With that in mind, cities and towns are wasting no time in passing bans on marijuana dispensaries and cultivating facilities, or pausing any decision to do so, until Ohio fully implements its statewide adult-use cannabis program in September. According to the Drug Enforcement and Policy Center at Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law, there are 56 Ohio municipalities that have enacted moratoriums on adult-use cannabis operators.
But already, the landscape continues to change, and some municipalities on the list have altered their plans. As of June 12, 3News confirmed these Northeast Ohio cities that have banned marijuana dispensaries and cultivating facilities include (but are not limited to):
- Avon (passed ban in April 2024)
- Avon Lake (May 2024)
- North Olmsted (December 2023)
- Strongsville (March 2024)
- Westlake (April 2024)
Meanwhile, other municipalities including Broadview Heights, Green, Copley Township, Hudson, Orange Village, Twinsburg, and Chardon have passed moratoriums, putting a pause on marijuana sales and cultivation facilities. Many are in effect until the end of the year.
Last week, the city of Lakewood (which is still part of the OSU list) lifted its moratorium to allow for recreational sales as soon as either of the city's two medical marijuana dispensaries receive its dual-use permit.
"Lakewood is open to business," declared Sarah Kepple, Lakewood City Council President.
Close to 80% of Lakewood voters approved Issue 2 last November, the statewide citizen-initiated statute to legalize adult-use cannabis.
"The city of Lakewood wants to make sure that we do this thoughtfully and safely and respond to the voters' choice," Kepple said.
Meanwhile, Hudson enacted a moratorium through the end of the year. However, once it ends, marijuana grow houses will be prohibited but dispensaries will be allowed in one district in the southern portion of the city along state Route 91.
"Currently, you can have a dispensary in District 9 in the city of Hudson," Hudson City Council President Chris Foster told 3News. "It’s conditional use. You can legally have one there, so when the moratorium runs out, you could open a dispensary legally, if you so choose.”
Exactly when the first permits for recreational sales will be approved is not clear. The Division of Cannabis Control would not say when, however industry operators anticipate that it could happen in a matter of days.
"There will be no one singular day when sales begin," James Crawford, public information officer for the Ohio Department of Commerce, wrote in an email. "We will start issuing licenses and it will be up to the retailer based on staffing, stock and other considerations as to which day they will begin sales. Given the foundation already laid through the Medical Marijuana Control Program, current medical permit holders positioned to apply for dual-use status who have already undergone many of the comprehensive checks are anticipated to have a much quicker turnaround for issuance of licenses over the summer."