City CouncilTop story
Hamilton approves three dispensaries, but only one can open
Only UpLift is set to open among the three
| Dispensary | Site | Where it stands |
|---|---|---|
| UpLift (Cascade Southern Ohio) | 877 NW Washington Blvd. | First to file; set to open |
| RISE (GTI Ohio) | 845 NW Washington Blvd. | Approved; can't open if UpLift does |
| Beyond Hello (Jushi) | 1520 Main St. | Approved; can't open if UpLift does |
Sources: FOX19, journal-news.com
Hamilton is one step from its first dispensary. City Council voted unanimously Wednesday on the zoning, approving all three applications and ending a decade-long ban on retail cannabis.
Why only one? The sites sit within a mile of each other, and Ohio law allows just one dispensary there. City rules adopted in August give priority to the first qualifying application, which came from Cascade Southern Ohio.
- Jobs: 35 to 45 expected at UpLift
- Customers: up to 400 a day projected
- Off-limits: historic district and within 1,000 feet of schools or childcare
- GTI and Jushi can reapply; neither has said whether they will
GTI's counsel, Robert Zimmerman, says only GTI was told to file at 12:01 a.m. starting Aug. 15, and that GTI filed one minute after Cascade. "The process has been arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable," he said.
Mayor Pat Moeller said he hopes any Hamilton dispensary posts signs about the harm of cannabis use by youth and pregnant women.
Hamilton considered the issue for more than two years before Wednesday's vote
- Dec. 2023Hamilton approved a temporary prohibition on all marijuana-related activities.
- May 7The Planning Commission recommended permitting marijuana and cannabis retailers.
- July 15Council approved dispensaries as a conditional use in designated areas.
- Oct. 28The three proposals got a first reading and public hearing.
- Nov. 11Council approved conditional-use permits for all three proposals.
Source: journal-news.com
