Some residents have voiced concern about the new medical marijuana dispensary project at 1682 State Road and have asked the city administration to provide answers to frequently asked questions. Based on those concerns we have prepared the following FAQ responses. Further inquiries may be submitted to: publiccomments@cityofcf.com and/or by calling: 330-971-8135.
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Why are they constructing a medical marijuana dispensary at this location? The owners have chosen this location to open a legally operating business. The Ohio Board of Pharmacy licenses and regulates medical marijuana dispensaries, including approving the location sites.
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Why can’t the city just deny this type of business? Our local zoning laws and regulations at that location allow retail sales and we currently have no legal grounds to stop it. This medical facility is also legally permitted under state law.
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Can City Council vote to stop this? Per the zoning code, projects under 8500 sq. ft do not get presented to Planning Commission or City Council.
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Why do our zoning laws allow this near a residential neighborhood? Our zoning laws were enacted by City Council in 2005 after dozens of public meetings and retail sales are allowed at that location. Similarly, all of the State Road, Portage Trail and Graham Road businesses back up to residential properties.
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Did the city offer a tax abatement? No; there are no abatements or incentives from the city. We did not invite, request, or encourage them to locate here.
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Does the city receive royalties from medical marijuana sales? No, we do not.
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Has the medical marijuana dispensary already purchased the property on State Road? Yes; according to public county records, FRX Real Estate Holding Company of Ohio, LLC purchased 1682 State Road on June 10, 2022 for $280,000.00.
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Are there other medical marijuana dispensaries located in Cuyahoga Falls? Yes, there has been a medical dispensary located at 1220 Buchholzer Boulevard since 2020.
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Is the Buchholzer location near a residential neighborhood? Yes; there are hundreds of residents in very close proximity on Clyde Avenue. We have received no complaints regarding the facility.
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Has there been an increase in crime at that location? There has been no crime at that location associated with the existing dispensary within the past two (2) years.
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Who is allowed to purchase products at a medical facility? Every patient must be 21 years of age or older and have a medical card and a valid prescription from a medical doctor.
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What is medical marijuana prescribed for? Some of the allowable conditions doctors can prescribe for are: Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Epilepsy, Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, and Terminal Illness.
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What if recreational use is legalized by the citizens of Ohio? If approved, the Ohio legislature will craft rules and regulations that govern the ability of individual cities to regulate or restrict recreational sales.
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Can any of the products be consumed on the premises? No; patients can only consume on personal private property.
For more information on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries, please visit the State of Ohio’s website at https://medicalmarijuana.ohio.gov/dispensaries .