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March 26 Ward 7 meeting
Covered by Documenter Joy Butch (see her notes here)
The longtime site of Steinly’s Restaurant, a beloved drive-up diner in Firestone Park known for its homestyle breakfasts and friendly service, may soon become a medical marijuana dispensary.
Council Member Donnie Kammer introduced the project during the March 27 Ward 7 meeting, where Craig Maurer, owner of Columbus-based cultivator CannaMed Therapeutics, detailed plans for the proposed new dispensary at 235 E. Waterloo Road.
Maurer, whose company Terrasana already operates four dispensaries across Ohio, emphasized a strong commitment to security, job creation and community reinvestment.
The dispensary will have armed guards on duty, full interior and exterior camera coverage and a tightly regulated inventory system monitored by the state’s Division of Cannabis Control, he said during the meeting.
The dispensary will bring 20 to 30 jobs to the area, all paying at least $20 an hour.
Employees must pass a state licensing process and undergo training for roles ranging from patient consultants to managerial staff.
Maurer said the company also plans to host “Days of Giving” during which a portion of sales is donated to the community.
In 2018, CannaMed was among the first dispensaries to receive a license in the state of Ohio to sell medical marijuana.
The proposed dispensary’s location meets state regulations, but some residents at the meeting raised concerns.
The site sits 900 feet away from Voris Community Learning Center, an elementary school with students in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Ohio law prohibits dispensaries from being located within 500 feet of schools, churches and parks.
Community members also asked questions about impaired driving, parking and the stigma surrounding medical marijuana use.
An 80-year-old veteran attending the meeting expressed hesitation about applying for a medical card due to federal firearm restrictions, while another resident questioned whether Akron police are equipped to test for cannabis impairment during traffic stops.
Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich, who was present at the meeting, acknowledged the legal gray areas still surrounding marijuana use.
Laws are evolving rapidly, he said, and law enforcement officials are doing their best to reconcile old rules with new realities.
Maurer said customers cannot consume or even open products on-site. The average visit lasts less than 10 minutes, and online ordering will be available.
The building will undergo renovations, including fresh landscaping, a new parking lot and added lighting.
For longtime residents, the most striking change may be the repurposing of the building itself.
The site sits between a brick office suite building and The Basement Sports Bar & Grill, across from Holy Cross Cemetery.
As the home of Steinly’s — and, before that, Hamburger King in the 1960s — the location holds a sentimental place in neighborhood history.
Steinly’s closed in 2024, two years after the passing of owner Bernard Steinly, who first opened the diner in the 1980s.The proposal is currently with the Akron City Council Planning & Economic Development and may come before the full council as early as Monday.
Monday’s council meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at 166 S. High St. downtown and can be viewed here as well. Learn more here about how to address the council during the public comment period.
“]] The longtime location of Steinly’s Restaurant, a beloved drive-up diner in Firestone Park may soon become a medical marijuana dispensary. Read More
