OHIO — As the state gets set to open the application process for dispensaries to sell recreational marijuana, some municipalities are trying to keep that business away. 

What You Need To Know

  • Clearcreek Township is looking to ban businesses from selling, processing and cultivating marijuana in their area 

  • The township is one of almost 50 Ohio municipalities looking to do something similar 

  • This is possible because Issue 2 has a provision that allows cities to opt out 

Clearcreek Township is one of them. On Tuesday, it passed a zoning code amendment that would ban businesses from selling, processing and cultivating marijuana in the township. It comes after 56% of the voters in the community voted against Issue 2 last November. That was the measure that legalized recreational marijuana in Ohio.

“I'm pretty confident the trustees are steadfast in their views on it, and believe that they are taking the steps that they feel necessarily necessary to be responsive to their constituents,” said Matt Clark, Clearcreek Township administrator.

Clearcreek Township is one of nearly 50 municipalities across the state looking to impose a ban. A provision within Issue 2's ballot initiative gives municipalities the option to opt out of certain parts of the law. Fifty-seven percent of voters statewide supported the ballot measure.