GIRARD, Ohio – Curaleaf, a cannabis dispensary company with more than 150 locations nationwide, has opened its doors at 801 North State St. 

“We’ve been open for about a week, and so far the reception has been extremely warm here,” said Lissa Satori, regional senior marketing manager. “We’ve heard from quite a few folks that they are very happy to have a local option.”

Employees of the new dispensary, company representatives and Mayor Mark Zuppo were on hand Wednesday to celebrate the store’s grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. 

The dispensary sells an assortment of adult-use cannabis products, including pre-rolls, a grassroots line, vape products and gummies, Satori said. These varieties are available for both medical and recreational adult use, and demand has been strong. 

“Our numbers have exceeded our expectations so far,” she said. “We have a ratio gummy called Plant Precision that is particularly good for patients,” she said. The new dispensary also employs a full-time pharmacist.

Curaleaf remodeled the space that once housed Family Video along North State Street, and the location is the company’s fifth dispensary in Ohio, Satori said. 

Zuppo added that the city is always welcoming to new businesses. Recently, a new pediatric dental clinic announced it would relocate to a vacant Rite Aid storefront along North State Street.

“People have been waiting a long time for this,” Zuppo said. Moreover, he said he’s pleased that a portion of the tax revenue raised from the sale of cannabis products will be returned to their host communities, although it’s unclear as to how that process will work.

“They’re a very professional company, and we’re happy to have them on board,” Zuppo said of Curaleaf.