Dayton, Ohio, has given the green light to two drive-thru marijuana dispensaries, which will join the city’s existing five pot shops. The new dispensaries will offer drive-thru services, making it easier for customers to purchase marijuana products without leaving their vehicles.
According to attorney Greg Gorospe, who represents the companies behind the new dispensaries, about 40% of marijuana sales in Ohio are made online, and this trend is expected to increase in the future. The state has 126 dual-use dispensaries that sell both medical and recreational marijuana products, with 22 offering drive-thru services.
One of the proposed dispensaries, B Cubed Operations Ohio LLC, plans to convert an old PNC Bank branch into a new weed dispensary. The other, Farmaceutical RX LLC, will turn an auto sales business into a new dispensary. Both locations are allowed to operate as marijuana dispensaries, but the drive-thru facilities require approval from the city’s zoning appeals board.
The board approved the variance requests, but with conditions. For the dispensary on Needmore Road, the parking lot will be set up to allow cars to enter and exit off Wagner Ford Road, in an effort to alleviate traffic issues.
Some local residents have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the drive-thru dispensary on traffic and safety. Mark Keller, who owns a business nearby, worries that the increased traffic will cause accidents and disrupt the flow of traffic on Needmore Road.
However, the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control has strict security and public health and safety guidelines for drive-thru dispensaries. These include requirements for video surveillance, silent alarms, and secure facilities.
The proposed drive-thru dispensaries are expected to bring in significant revenue, with recreational marijuana sales in Ohio totaling over $215 million since the product became legal on August 6.
