Hubbard dispensary moves closer to selling recreational marijuana | News, Sports, Vacancies

HUBBARD — The future of the city’s only dispensary looks brighter after voters voted to repeal the ban on adult recreational use of marijuana.

Dustin Crites, CEO of A Cut Superior Dispensary, explained that while things remain tense, there is now a sense of hope.

“It was definitely very, very difficult, we did everything we could to get to the vote, and now that the vote has taken place, we have found a way to at least get through.” – said Crits. “We’re still hanging in there as best we can, but there’s light at the end of the tunnel now.”

Crites said they have a few more steps to take before they can sell recreational marijuana, starting with getting verified results from the Trumbull County Board of Elections and presenting them to Mayor Ben Kyle and the City Council.

However, they are already working with the Department of Commerce to issue a license for adult use.

He expects them to be ready for sale between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but until then he plans to continue to be responsible with operating expenses on the drug side.

The lifting of the ban marks the end of one battle between Crites and the ACA Dispensary.

Crites previously said the company was one of the first companies approved for a dual-use license under the name B Cubed Operations Ohio LLC when the state began accepting applications June 7.

When they applied for a license, Crites said no one in town had a problem and the company was “upcoming and open” about the process with city authorities.

Crites said the dispensary originally came to town under a medical license because it was the only one available when the ACA opened, but the facility was designed with large-scale operations in mind.

The Council initially passed legislation prohibiting the sale of marijuana by a 4-2 vote in July, despite legalizing cannabis for adult use statewide, through the language of a statewide question approved by voters in November 2023 to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, including a provision allowing communities to ban the location of businesses that sell it.

This same issue allowed dispensary operators and owners to try to get it on the ballot so voters in that community could decide through a petition initiative, which is what Crites did.

The Cut Above party went on to collect 194 signatures, nearly double the 100 needed to put the issue on the ballot as a referendum.

The Crits said the Trumbull County Board of Elections’ results showing the issue passed 66% in favor and 34% against reflected the city’s wants and needs for them.

Critics said they “definitely” wanted to stay in Hubbard and wanted things to work.

The criminals said the last 48 hours have been crazy for them as their phones were switched off. “off the hook” people are asking when they can buy.

“We had people pull into the parking lot and come and say, ‘Hey guys, I voted for you.’ People drive around honking.” – said Crits. “You know, we’ve had people just drive up and say, ‘Hey, I just wanted to tell you that we’re so proud of you, thank you for what you’ve done and, you know, helping us get our voice out there. heard.” .’ There’s just a lot of positivity coming our way.”