PERRYSBURG, Ohio — If you were hoping to purchase marijuana in Perrysburg, you’ll need to look elsewhere — for now.
In a 4-3 decision on Tuesday, city council rejected three ordinances that would have allowed marijuana dispensaries to open within city limits.
“I didn’t think Perrysburg wanted to be the leader or promoter in supporting the introduction of marijuana in northwest Ohio,” council member Tim McCarthy said.
McCarthy, who voted against the proposals, stated that he doesn’t want the city to be anti-marijuana, but rather needs to make smarter economic decisions.
“We did that with our Topgolf vote,” McCarthy said. “I don’t think we need to do it with a very limited economic impact these dispensaries bring to town.”
Council members Kevin Fuller, Rick Rettig and Cory Kuhlman voted in favor of the ordinances.
Kuhlman, in particular, expressed concerns that the council’s decision would send the wrong message to business owners and may drive potential customers to surrounding communities.
“I want to provide support for any viable business and let entrepreneurs know that we’re open for business in Perrysburg,” Kuhlman said. “We’re trying to get you here.”
Kuhlman also pointed out that the approval of marijuana use in Ohio in 2023, through Issue 2, reflected the will of the people. More than 54% of Perrysburg voters supported legalizing marijuana.
Local resident Justin Edgell, one of the voters who approved the legalization, believes the decision should be reconsidered and suggests the city could look to nearby Bowling Green for guidance.
“We have neighbors in Bowling Green, that council in that city has approved dispensaries,” Edgell said. “They are doing it successfully and safely and I think that’s a model that we could follow, so I think the discussion is going to come back.”
McCarthy said after the meeting that he expects city council to adopt a 90 to 120-day moratorium on dispensaries at their next meeting. The current moratorium expires May 7.
From there, McCarthy said council will try to draft legislation to allow medical marijuana dispensaries first in the city, something Kuhlman says he will lead an effort to do.
