One Minute Decides Which of Three Cannabis Firms Builds Hamilton's First Dispensary

Cascade Southern Ohio LLC holds a one minute advantage over its two competitors for the right to build Hamilton's first marijuana dispensary. The company submitted its application on August 15 at 12:00 a.m. GTI Ohio LLC filed its paperwork the same day at 12:01 a.m. A third applicant, Jushi RJK OH LLC, entered the process days later.

City planning director Lauren Nelson stated that all three proposed sites are located within a couple hundred yards of one another in the Taft Place/Governors Hill Neighborhood. Local zoning ordinances dictate that if council approves all three applications during the same meeting, the earliest submitted application takes priority. Under this rule, Cascade Southern Ohio would win the location.

Rob Zimmerman, a lawyer representing GTI Ohio, questioned the fairness of the timeline. He claimed Nelson told his client it could only submit at 12:01 a.m. and did not provide that specific information to the other bidders. Zimmerman described the group's concern over what he called apparent inconsistent treatment of applicants.

Each company proposes a different facility in the contested corridor. Cascade Southern Ohio plans to use a vacant 5,800 square foot space at 877 NW Washington Blvd. that currently houses a Shooters Sports Grill. The company anticipates employing up to 45 people and serving 400 daily visitors. Company representative Benjamin McBride noted the building has been unoccupied for some time.

GTI Ohio seeks to construct a 2,000 square foot building at 787 NW Washington Blvd. near El Mariachi restaurant. This would be the company's sixth Rise Dispensary in Ohio and would employ 20 people. Zimmerman expressed confidence that law enforcement would not experience negative issues related to security.

Jushi RJK OH intends to use Applebee's overflow parking at 1520 Main St. for a 2,400 square foot facility named Beyond Hello. The company already operates seven dispensaries in the state. It expects to hire 14 employees and serve 300 customers daily. Architect Ian Jones said the design complements the Main Street corridor.

City council members will vote on second readings for each application on November 12. They previously voted in July to lift the city's ban on marijuana activities. Four members supported the measure, while Mayor Pat Moeller, Eric Pohlman, and Timothy Naab voted against it. Council now requires dispensaries to avoid historic or residential districts and must be at least 1,000 feet from schools or childcare facilities.