Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The medical marijuana business is sure to make its way to western Stark County, but don't expect to see any pot shops sprout up anytime soon.
Massillon and Canal Fulton each has been queried recently by people interested in opening medical marijuana operations. And neither city has any regulations in place to guide people through the process of opening a shop where marijuana is cultivated and/or sold. Further, neither municipality appears to be in serious discussion on what to do.
On May 1, Massillon City Council heard from Tracee McAfee, a Clinton-area resident, who briefed members about her idea to open a medical marijuana operation in the city. The business, she said, would process, cultivate and dispense medical pot at a location to be determined.
McAffee's interest in Massillon has cooled since last month, according to David Maley, the city's economic development specialist, who acknowledged that she had already met with the city of Canton about opening a shop there. Canton amended businesses regulations in late May, so it could work with people wanting to bring medical marijuana operations there.
No meaningful discussion between McAfee and Massillon has taken place in more than two weeks, Maley said.
"At this point, I don't think the city is going to be involved with it," said Maley of McAffee's proposal. "I think Massillon was sort of a fallback option (for her), but there was interest here."
McAffee declined to comment about her business plans.
Canton's business code now includes medical marijuana licensing and regulation. The measure was passed prior to state deadlines, which take effect later this month, for marijuana cultivator applications.
Ohio's new law – established last fall – allows local governments to restrict where medical marijuana-related businesses can be located, or ban them entirely from operating. Via the state law, the use of marijuana was approved for nearly 20 medical conditions, including AIDS, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Maley said a man from outside Ohio stopped in his office Wednesday to inquire about the city's pulse on medical marijuana. He called the informal meeting a "homework session," and said the man was also interested in exploring options in Pennsylvania.
"He's still doing site selections and looking around at other cities (in Ohio and other states)," Maley said.
Missing out on money?
Massillon Councilwoman Sarita Cunningham, R-Ward 1, seemed a bit irritated when learning that McAfee is no longer looking to bring a marijuana business to the city. She said it would be unfortunate if Massillon misses out on ways to increase its income tax base and generate money.
"To me, this City Council is more reactive than proactive," Cunningham said. "We need to reap benefits of revenue if an opportunity presents itself."
Cunningham said she could favor bringing in medical marijuana operations if the process is thought through. A friend of Cunningham's suffers from multiple sclerosis and smokes pot to reduce pain.
"If done properly, it can help those people," she said.
Councilman Ed Lewis, R-at large, said there's no rush to take formal action. He believes more detailed study of the state law would be prudent before any council vote on the matter.
"I'd like to see what medical marijuana (law) looks like before coming down on one side or the other," he said.
Jill Creamer, a Democrat councilwoman who serves Ward 4, agreed with Lewis on needing time to investigate medical cannabis. She said the city is facing other issues, such as repaving roads and whether to rebuild or remove the Sippo Creek Reservoir Dam, that need addressed first.
"I favor a wait-and-see approach," Creamer said Friday. "I'm not sure if it's positive for the city or not and would (first) like to see how it takes off in other parts of the state."
In Canal Fulton, a city official said an aggressive, forward-thinking approach to medical marijuana might be the best way to go.
"It's something we need to make a decision on," said Mark Cozy, city manager. "If someone wants to make an investment in our community, we should be able to give them a (yes or no) answer."
On May 16, Canal Fulton Mayor Joe Schultz told City Council he had received a phone call from an unnamed individual asking if the city would be interested in a medical marijuana processing plant within its boundaries. Council is expected to reconvene discussions in July about pot shops, according to Cozy, who said the delay is due to the mayor being out of state until that time.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical pot shops show interest in Massillon, Canal Fulton - News - The Repository - Canton, OH
Author: Steven M. Grazier
Contact: Contact - Canton, OH - The Repository
Photo Credit: Richard Lautens
Website: The Repository: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Canton, OH
Massillon and Canal Fulton each has been queried recently by people interested in opening medical marijuana operations. And neither city has any regulations in place to guide people through the process of opening a shop where marijuana is cultivated and/or sold. Further, neither municipality appears to be in serious discussion on what to do.
On May 1, Massillon City Council heard from Tracee McAfee, a Clinton-area resident, who briefed members about her idea to open a medical marijuana operation in the city. The business, she said, would process, cultivate and dispense medical pot at a location to be determined.
McAffee's interest in Massillon has cooled since last month, according to David Maley, the city's economic development specialist, who acknowledged that she had already met with the city of Canton about opening a shop there. Canton amended businesses regulations in late May, so it could work with people wanting to bring medical marijuana operations there.
No meaningful discussion between McAfee and Massillon has taken place in more than two weeks, Maley said.
"At this point, I don't think the city is going to be involved with it," said Maley of McAffee's proposal. "I think Massillon was sort of a fallback option (for her), but there was interest here."
McAffee declined to comment about her business plans.
Canton's business code now includes medical marijuana licensing and regulation. The measure was passed prior to state deadlines, which take effect later this month, for marijuana cultivator applications.
Ohio's new law – established last fall – allows local governments to restrict where medical marijuana-related businesses can be located, or ban them entirely from operating. Via the state law, the use of marijuana was approved for nearly 20 medical conditions, including AIDS, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
Maley said a man from outside Ohio stopped in his office Wednesday to inquire about the city's pulse on medical marijuana. He called the informal meeting a "homework session," and said the man was also interested in exploring options in Pennsylvania.
"He's still doing site selections and looking around at other cities (in Ohio and other states)," Maley said.
Missing out on money?
Massillon Councilwoman Sarita Cunningham, R-Ward 1, seemed a bit irritated when learning that McAfee is no longer looking to bring a marijuana business to the city. She said it would be unfortunate if Massillon misses out on ways to increase its income tax base and generate money.
"To me, this City Council is more reactive than proactive," Cunningham said. "We need to reap benefits of revenue if an opportunity presents itself."
Cunningham said she could favor bringing in medical marijuana operations if the process is thought through. A friend of Cunningham's suffers from multiple sclerosis and smokes pot to reduce pain.
"If done properly, it can help those people," she said.
Councilman Ed Lewis, R-at large, said there's no rush to take formal action. He believes more detailed study of the state law would be prudent before any council vote on the matter.
"I'd like to see what medical marijuana (law) looks like before coming down on one side or the other," he said.
Jill Creamer, a Democrat councilwoman who serves Ward 4, agreed with Lewis on needing time to investigate medical cannabis. She said the city is facing other issues, such as repaving roads and whether to rebuild or remove the Sippo Creek Reservoir Dam, that need addressed first.
"I favor a wait-and-see approach," Creamer said Friday. "I'm not sure if it's positive for the city or not and would (first) like to see how it takes off in other parts of the state."
In Canal Fulton, a city official said an aggressive, forward-thinking approach to medical marijuana might be the best way to go.
"It's something we need to make a decision on," said Mark Cozy, city manager. "If someone wants to make an investment in our community, we should be able to give them a (yes or no) answer."
On May 16, Canal Fulton Mayor Joe Schultz told City Council he had received a phone call from an unnamed individual asking if the city would be interested in a medical marijuana processing plant within its boundaries. Council is expected to reconvene discussions in July about pot shops, according to Cozy, who said the delay is due to the mayor being out of state until that time.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical pot shops show interest in Massillon, Canal Fulton - News - The Repository - Canton, OH
Author: Steven M. Grazier
Contact: Contact - Canton, OH - The Repository
Photo Credit: Richard Lautens
Website: The Repository: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Canton, OH
