BELMONT COUNTY, Ohio — The first marijuana dispensary in Belmont County will open in Bridgeport, providing an economic opportunity for the area.
Located at 435 Main Street inside a former bank building, the recreational and medicinal marijuana store was voted and passed in the state of Ohio.
Cannabis company Cresco Labs has been opening different locations throughout the Buckeye State, including one in Wintersville called Sunnyside.
Law Director Michael Shaheen said the village took this proposition seriously before giving the go-ahead but added that they were on board after learning more.
“Whatever people are thinking about the dispensary, they need to go look at one they operate in Wintersville,” Shaheen said. “Think like you’re walking into an Apple store, but there’s nothing on the shelves, there’s packaged products behind, you go in, you can swipe, you can go in and ask about the products, but no one can go in and just hustle off with something.”
Shaheen explained that when the state legalized recreational marijuana, part of the objective for the dispensary would be to make money for both the state and local municipality that the store is located.
“As an example, if this place does a million dollars, Bridgeport would get $36,000, and it’s anticipated this place will get significantly more than that,” Shaheen said.
Shaheen said Cresco Labs has never had a violation, brings its own security, and has wide offering for consumers. He added that it plans to hire its staff locally.
“They’re going to pay a very fair wage, much more than minimum wage,” Shaheen said. “Now, people have to pass a background check and adhere to the rules, and they’re very strict. But if you’re willing to do that, they pay benefits, there’s retirement. I mean, somebody could have a career with this legitimate business and not have to leave the Ohio Valley, which is what we are trying to do.”
Currently, the dispensary is finalizing paperwork with a retrofit on the building starting this summer, and the official opening date is still to be determined.
