The Butler County dispensaries will be located at:
- 127 Ohio LLC in the Village of Seven Mile in Butler County;
- CannAscend Alternative LLC, 300 N. Main St., Monroe.
Monroe was aware of the possibility of a dispensary in the city, City Manager Bill Brock said.
“We had 11 applications within town with the understanding that only one at the most would be possible,” Brock said. “The city has received no other information related to the applicant or the type of facility that they plan to build on the site. Our understanding is that it is currently a vacant lot. We have no other information on the plans of the business.”
Monroe did not ban the businesses, and the state approved a growing site within the city last year.
MORE: Monroe site receives medical marijuana growing license from state
Locally, Fairfield, Hamilton, Liberty Twp., Carlisle, Middletown, Trenton, Ross Twp., Fairfield Twp. and West Chester Twp. all have rules blocking marijuana-related businesses in their communities.
The 56 stores named Monday were among the 376 applications received for dispensary licenses, which will sell medical marijuana to registered, qualified patients whose licensed doctors have recommended they use the drug.
Seven Mile Mayor Vivian Gorsuch said she was surprised to learn a business in her village was awarded a dispensary license.
“We didn’t expect to get one,” she said. “It’s all new and you’re not sure what to expect, but I am expecting the best.”
MORE: Here’s what area communities are doing about Ohio’s coming medical marijuana
Gorsuch said the issue has been controversial with residents, but Village Council has met with the applicant who has operations in two other states and they are “an outstanding company.”
She said the company is planning to build a secure facility that is estimated to cost nearly $2 million on the south end of the village off of U.S. 127.
“I’m excited for the medical marijuana program that will help kids with seizures,” she said. “I personally don’t think this will hurt the village.”
She said a lot of people don’t understand this is for medical marijuana, not recreational use.
“We looked at this,” Gorsuch said. “We didn’t apply for this, they came to us. We expect the best and we’ll talk to the business if it affects our village.”
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