EUCLID, Ohio — In Euclid, the Nectar dispensary has begun selling recreational marijuana products, despite the city previously saying it would be unable to do so.
The saga began Tuesday, when the sale of recreational cannabis officially became legal in Ohio. Though Nectar obtained a license through the state to sell, city officials claim existing zoning codes only permit medical marijuana establishments to operate.
"We've turned away a couple hundred, thousands of dollars, because people are coming and expecting to make purchases here and they were being told we can’t sell to them because of a rule the city set forward," Nectar Euclid dispensary representative Jimmie Dawson told 3News on Tuesday.
Dawson said the team at Nectar expected large crowds and stocked up their inventory to prepare for the demand, but Monday night, he was instructed by his superiors that the store could only sell to medical users.
Throughout Tuesday, prospective buyers arrived to find a note on the door and inside that read, "The City of Euclid has decided not to allow the sale of adult-use cannabis at this time, despite state approval." However, on Wednesday, Nectar suddenly began selling recreational materials, explaining to us that its legal team had given them the green light.
WKYC reached out to Euclid City Council for comment on the matter, but they did not answer our questions, only referring us to their prior statement issued Tuesday on the zoning laws:
"The City of Euclid remains committed to maintaining a clear and fair regulatory environment for all businesses operating within our jurisdiction. In alignment with this commitment, the city would like to clarify our current zoning policy regarding marijuana dispensaries. As per our present zoning codes, adopted in November of 2021, only medical marijuana dispensaries are permitted to operate within the City of Euclid.
"This policy, as approved by Euclid City Council, has been communicated throughout the licensing process, including prior to the Ohio issuance of Recreational Adult Use licenses in July of this year, to all relevant parties to ensure compliance and avoid any misunderstandings.
"The City of Euclid values the contributions of medical dispensaries to our community's health and well-being. We believe that by upholding these zoning codes, we can ensure a positive environment for neighboring businesses and residents.
"As with any changes to codified ordinances, adjustments to this code will require further deliberation by our Planning and Zoning Commission and Euclid City Council.
"Euclid has been in contact, and will continue to be in contact, with our two medicinal marijuana dispensaries and our cultivator, and we are committed to supporting their operations within our city."
The initiative approving the sale of recreational marijuana in Ohio, which was approved by voters last November, allows municipalities to prohibit such sales within their limits. More than 60 cities and townships have since adopted moratoriums, but Euclid was not one of them.