Perrysburg, Ohio — In a closely contested vote on Tuesday, the Perrysburg City Council rejected three ordinances that would have allowed marijuana dispensaries to operate within the city limits. The decision came in a 4-3 vote, with council members divided on the issue.
Council member Tim McCarthy, who voted against the proposals, explained that he did not believe Perrysburg should be a leader in supporting the introduction of marijuana in northwest Ohio. McCarthy expressed that while he did not want the city to appear “anti-marijuana,” he believed the decision was a matter of making smarter economic choices for the community.
“We did that with our Topgolf vote,” McCarthy said, referring to the city’s approval of a Topgolf entertainment complex in 2022. “I don’t think we need to do it with a very limited economic impact these dispensaries bring to town.”
On the other side of the debate, council members Kevin Fuller, Rick Rettig, and Cory Kuhlman voted in favor of the ordinances. Kuhlman, who has been a vocal advocate for the dispensaries, argued that rejecting the proposals could send the wrong message to potential business owners and entrepreneurs looking to set up shop in Perrysburg. He also raised concerns that the decision could push customers to neighboring communities that have already approved dispensaries.
“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, with more than 54% of Perrysburg voters supporting the legalization of marijuana.
Local resident Justin Edgell, who was among the voters who approved the legalization, voiced his disappointment with the council’s decision. He suggested that Perrysburg could look to nearby Bowling Green, where the city council has successfully and safely implemented marijuana dispensaries, as a model to follow.
“I think the discussion is going to come back,” Edgell said, urging the council to reconsider the decision.
Following the vote, McCarthy indicated that the council might take additional steps to address the issue in the future. He mentioned the possibility of adopting a 90 to 120-day moratorium on dispensaries at the council’s next meeting, which would temporarily delay any dispensary operations. The current moratorium on dispensaries is set to expire on May 7. McCarthy also suggested that the city might consider allowing medical marijuana dispensaries first, with Kuhlman expressing support for this approach.
The rejection of marijuana dispensaries is likely not the final word on the issue, as further discussions and potential legislation could reshape the future of marijuana retail in Perrysburg. For now, however, residents and business owners alike will have to look elsewhere for marijuana dispensaries.