FINDLAY, Ohio (WTVG) – Findlay is one step closer to having cannabis dispensaries in the city. After a vote from the city council to approve a zoning ordinance, some people are wondering what is next for the process.

With an overwhelming majority of Findlay City Council voting in favor, the ordinance to create the zoning code to allow for the retail sale of cannabis in the city is a go.

With the votes, a cannabis overlay district that allows for adult-use cannabis dispensaries has been added to the Findlay Zoning Code.

The city said the district allows for up to two dispensaries to operate in the city within four picked areas.

Councilman Grant Russel was one of the members who supported the ordinance. He said it comes with parameters.

“The overlay district is 1,000 feet from libraries, schools, churches, playgrounds and daycares instead of the minimum of 500 feet set by the state of Ohio,” Russel said.

It also requires the businesses to go through the city planning process and meet the requirements to obtain a conditional-use permit.

“Just like a conditional-use permit can be granted, it can be revoked,” Russel said.

So what happens next?

“In the next 30 days, this ordinance will take effect at which time, retail establishments can come to the municipal building and apply for the permit,” Russel said.

Russel said that we could see actions happening as soon as they are able to.

“Based on conversations and the fact that there were two company representatives there last night, I expect on day one, we will have companies applying for conditional-use permits,” Russel said.

Though the city council greenlit its portion of the project, Russel said there is still a long way to go.

“They will have to work with the state of Ohio and get through all of the state mandates and licensing regulations,” Russel said.

For now, the council’s vote has moved the needle on the process to potentially see dispensaries in Findlay. A vote that Russel said was fairly simple after seeing the community’s support for legalizing marijuana.

“53% of the citizens in Findlay, 69% of the precincts, six of the seven wards. If the residents of Findlay voted against it, we would’ve had a permanent ban I think. The reason that this ordinance was created was because of the results of the November 2023 state-wide initiative,” Russel said.

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