Three Firms Pitch Sites for Hamilton's First Legal Weed Shop
City council must select one of three proposals for a recreational dispensary by November, a decision that follows Ohio Issue 2.
By Arjun Wojcik ·
Hamilton, Ohio, has legal recreational marijuana on the books, but no place to buy it yet. That changes soon, as city council moves to select the site for the city's first dispensary.
Three cannabis companies presented competing plans to council members on Wednesday. The meeting served as a first reading and public hearing. All three proposals comply with local zoning rules. State law restricts dispensaries to one location within a one-mile radius, meaning only one of these three will receive a license.
Cascade Southern Ohio, an UpLift operator, proposed a location next to Shooters on Northwest Washington. The company projected the site would create up to 45 jobs and serve approximately 400 customers daily. Ben McBride, a representative for UpLift, noted that the company began operations in 2021 with two dispensaries in the greater Cincinnati area. He said the firm has grown to become one of the largest in Ohio, opening a third location this week and breaking ground on a fourth the following day.
GTI Ohio, which runs six dispensaries statewide, offered a proposal for a Rise brand store on a 2.5-acre lot also off Northwest Washington. The plan includes about 20 jobs and capacity for up to 300 customers on busy days. Marvin Jones of GTI stated that the company serves nearly 6,000 medical patients and strives to follow all guidelines from the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Jushi, operating under the Beyond Hello brand, pitched a smaller shop off Main Street near an Applebee's restaurant. This plan includes up to 14 jobs and expects about 300 daily customers. J.P. Burleigh, an attorney for Jushi RJK LLC, pointed out that Beyond Hello stores operate in dozens of states and employ many Ohio residents.
The path to this vote began when Hamilton voters supported Ohio Issue 2 in 2023, which legalized recreational marijuana statewide. After a temporary local ban, council approved dispensaries as a conditional use in specific zones in July. Council members will consider traffic patterns, neighborhood impact, job creation, and community feedback before choosing a single site next month.
A second reading is scheduled for the November 11 council meeting, where a vote may also take place.
Source: WXIX-TV
