Streetsboro considers new regulations on marijuana dispensaries; Business owner concerned

Streetsboro City Council plans a public hearing at 7 tonight on an ordinance that would change the city's zoning code on marijuana dispensaries.

The ordinance is expected to see a third and final reading in June.

Meanwhile, the would-be owner of a dispensary at the center of town urged council to amend the ordinance to comply with state licensing requirements. Council previously approved an ordinance limiting the number of such dispensaries in the city to two.

Tom Hobson, who plans to transform the former leather shop at 9156 State Route 14 into a medical marijuana and adult cannabis dispensary called "Wildflowers," said he was concerned about a provision in the code allowing competitors to be 2,000 feet apart.

The state licensing requirements require such businesses to be a mile apart, he said.

Hobson said he fears the more lax rules of the city might scare business owners away from making an investment in Streetsboro, even though the state code requires a greater distance.

"If you do stick with the 2,000 feet, you run the risk of getting none," he said.

Councilman Justin Ring said the licensing rules are subject to change, and council didn't want to change its ordinance every time the state adjusts its licensing requirements. He said he hopes the rules do eventually relax, because the one mile distance from Hobson's shop would eliminate almost every other potential retail space in the city.

"It's up to the business owner to understand the laws of the state," Ring said.

In March, Streetsboro's Planning Commission approved plans for the storefront, located on the southwest corner of Streetsboro Public Square, to be expanded to accommodate the dispensary. Hobson owns Wellspring Fields, a medical marijuana cultivation site at 4000 Lake Rockwell Road in Ravenna Township.

Hobson told council he's waiting for the state license in order to open the dispensary. Kevin Murphy, attorney for Hobson, previously said that because the Hobsons have a Level 2 cultivators certificate for their business in Ravenna Township, they are entitled to one dispensary, which is not required to be on the same site as their cultivation business.

Hobson said he's concerned that Streetsboro's second dispensary owner will be a multi state operator, which he said are often hard to reach if there's a problem.

"We were the first ones open in the state, the first ones licensed, we have a business in Auburn Township," Hobson said. "We don't skirt the rules, we follow rules."

Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Streetsboro considers new regulations on marijuana dispensaries