The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Planning Commission considers cannabis dispensary
Commission approves short-term rental permits
The Lorain Planning Commission heard a pitch for a local dispensary at its meeting March 3 and approved several short-term rentals for condition use permits to re-open for the tourist season.
Planning Commission members will consider, discuss and recommend updates to the Lorain Zoning Code to include regulatory requirements for medical and adult marijuana dispensaries.
While the regulations surrounding Ohio’s new law allowing recreational use of cannabis legal, the details are “still up in the air,” Assistant Law Director Donald Zaleski told the commission.
Officials said they have fielded multiple calls regarding whether they can build dispensaries in the city.
Since the legislation is new, officials decided to ask other communities for sample legislation that already are in the process of either allowing the opening dispensaries or drafting legislation for such.
A representative from Rise, a medical marijuana dispensary located on Cooper Foster Park Road in Lorain, told the officials the company is interested in converting its facility to recreational, or “adult use,” if the city will allow it.
Officials recommended the representative visit a City Council meeting to include the members in the discussion and to receive their opinions.
In other news, several people who own rental properties in the city were granted permits to open for the season at the meeting.
The following landowners were granted the permits: Ronald and Karen Wooledge, 661 Lakeside Ave.; Michael and Diane Caruso, 1103 E. Erie Ave.; Joyce Afrates, 229 Day Drive; and Aida Teague of Milagros Home Investments LLC, 1827 E. Erie Ave.
Teague, of Florida, applied for an additional permit for property at 1020 Mildred Ave., but the matter was tabled due to the house having a structural issue.
The Planning Commission will revisit Teague’s permit application at its next meeting scheduled for May 1.