The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Local dispensaries in process
Plans on file for medical marijuana dispensary on Cooper Foster Park Road
LORAIN >> Blueprints are on file for Lorain’s first medical marijuana dispensary.
RISE – Toledo, an operation of Green Thumb Industries LLC, has received a general building permit to create the dispensary in the former bank building at 1920 Cooper Foster Park Road.
“We look forward to serving the people of Ohio who deserve the very best products available as they seek relief with medical marijuana – and we are also honored to be able to create jobs in the state,” said Green Thumb Industries Founder and CEO Ben Kovler. “Expansion in Ohio supports our strategic goal of
increasing our footprint and distributing brands at scale.
“This license win allows (Green Thumb Industries) to produce and distribute its quality brands in Ohio.”
Plans are filed and the permit was issued Jan. 11 through the Lorain Building, Housing and Planning Department.
The project description says that it will be “interior fit up for MM pharmacy,” referring to medical marijuana.
The building has about 3,152 square feet of space and the lot is about 1.13 acres in size and has 45 parking spaces.
Green Thumb Industries
will spend $500,000 for the interior remodeling.
That figure includes $395,000 for building work, $49,000 for electrical upgrades, $21,000 on plumbing and $35,000 for heating and air conditioning, according to the plans on file with the city.
It appeared the remodeling will include removal of the existing asphalt, concrete islands and curbs, canopy columns and foundations holding up the canopy that sheltered the drive-up service lanes of the former bank building, according to plans.
At the site on Jan. 15, at least three men were present working inside or examining the exterior.
The workers declined to comment on the project.
On Jan. 10, Green Thumb Industries announced it received its Ohio processing license, one of up to 40 that the Ohio Department of Commerce will issue.
The company will operate its processing facility in Toledo.
In June 2018, the Ohio State Board of Pharmacy awarded the company licenses to open five dispensaries, the maximum number permitted under current regulations, according to Green Thumb Industries.
The company is slated to open the five RISE stores in Lorain, Cleveland, Toledo and two in Lakewood.
RISE Toledo is the first Green Thumb Industriesowned store in Ohio — and the 15th nationwide — with an expected opening in the coming weeks, according to the company.
Green Thumb Industries will spend $500,000 for the interior remodeling. That figure includes $395,000 for building work, $49,000 for electrical upgrades, $21,000 on plumbing and $35,000 for heating and air conditioning, according to the plans on file with the city.