Local marijuana dispensary facing closure due to recreational sales ban

HUBBARD, Ohio (WKBN) – The manager of a Hubbard medical marijuana dispensary is worried it could close within the next few months due to a ban on recreational sales within city limits.

Dustin Crites pleaded with Hubbard City Council Monday evening to overturn the city’s moratorium on recreational marijuana dispensaries.

“With medicinal sales down after already reducing our store hours, we’re not sure we’ll be able to keep the store open until the November election,” Crites said.

Crites operates the ACA Dispensary on East Liberty Street. His medical marijuana facility has been in operation since December but he is worried it won’t be open for much longer.

“It’s definitely hurting our business to be able to stay open at the moment. We’re going to fight and claw as hard as we can to be here until that vote,” he said.

The issue will be on the ballot for the November election.

ACA is already state-approved for a dual-use license. Crites wanted the council to grant them the ability to use it so they could prove to voters there would be no issues.

Third Ward Councilman Michael Mogg got up and spoke in their favor.

“I would like to ask all members of council to consider the decision that we made back in June. There is a member of this community that has been here for a year as you stated was asking for our help,” Mogg said.

Crites added Hubbard community members are driving to Warren and Youngstown to purchase recreational marijuana and argued the city is missing out on tax revenue by continuing the ban.

“The amount of revenue that could be brought in from rec, from adult use sales — it’s way above what we could bring from a medicinal side,” Crites said.

Members of the cannabis industry, including nearby growing facility Riviera Creek and a Cleveland School of Cannabis Instructor, also wanted to address common concerns around legalization.

“This isn’t for children. This is a 21-and-over thing, much like alcohol is 21 and over. It’s extremely difficult to buy legal cannabis,” said BC Wehman, Lighthouse Sciences instructor.

Councilman Mogg asked his colleagues to consider holding a special meeting next week.

Until then, ACA dispensary wants to hold on but Crites said if the vote fails, he’ll be forced to pack up and move his business.

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