AKRON, Ohio — After a week of legal recreational marijuana sales across Northeast Ohio, local officials and law enforcement agencies are evaluating what needs to happen now.
Last Tuesday, dispensaries across the state sold their first adult-use cannabis products. The owner of The Botanist, a dispensary in Akron, says sales are going strong, but they still need to take one more step to get right with the City of Akron.
July 22, the Akron City Council passed an ordinance requiring dispensaries to get an additional permit in order to sell both medical and recreational cannabis at their businesses.
A spokesperson for the city told 3News they have not issued any penalties or fines to dispensaries yet, but they do expect them to apply for those permits and work to comply.
In an email, that spokesperson wrote:
"One business is on the Planning Commission agenda for this Friday’s meeting. Other businesses have indicated to the city they are applying for a conditional use. Those other businesses will most likely be on the agenda for the September Planning Commission meeting which will consider their application for a conditional use. Once the Planning Commission meets, City Council will vote on any conditional uses. If granted and approved by Council, these businesses will be in compliance with the city’s zoning code as it applies to recreational marijuana sales. No fines or penalties have been issued as we work with area businesses to make sure they are operating in alignment with our city codes."
Meanwhile, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is viewing drivers' newly expanded marijuana access through the light of public safety.
“When we look at drug-related fatal crashes, that has increased by 4 percent," said OSHP Lieutenant Ray Santiago. "It’s one of the few categories that has increased and outpaced other categories.”
Santiago is reminding drivers that state law has not changed when it comes to limits on marijuana users.
Ohioans cannot use any cannabis product while they're in a car, on a bike, in a boat, or other means of transportation. Products must stay in the packaging they were purchased in for transportation, and you cannot transport more than 15 grams of marijuana in the form of adult use extract or 2.5 ounces of weed in other forms.
“We know that this is going to be an issue. It’s something that is top of mind, and something that we are very equipped and ready to address,” said Santiago.
The State Highway Patrol says they conduct field sobriety tests, but many troopers also have additional drug training to determine what substance is causing the impairment.