Hashing out Perkins' new medical marijuana dispensaries

PERKINS TWP. — Two medical marijuana dispensaries, one new to the area and another with a presence in Sandusky, set their sites to do business along Erie County's predominant commercial corridor. During a recent public meeting, Perkins Township officials approved plans for a pair of forthcoming establishments: • The Forest Sandusky, relocating from 1651 Tiffin Ave. (U.S. 6) in Sandusky to 5020 Milan Road (U.S. 250) into the former Pier 1 Imports building; Calls and messages to The Forest Sandusky, seeking comment about the move, went unreturned. • Ohio Patient Access opening a shop at the northwest corner of East Bogart and Milan roads; It's the same intersection where people can find Manny's Sports Tavern and Grill and Hampton Inn. Angie Byington, the township's community development director, noted Ohio Patient Access could operate the dispensary under a different business name. Other details, including a timetable for their openings, are not yet known. Upon debuting in these spots, they'll act as licensed dispensaries sanctioned by the state, Byington said. What this means: At any dispensary in Ohio, including these two, people with a state-approved medical marijuana card can typically buy products such as vape cartridges, edibles and a host of other accessories. The Ohio Medical Board permits people to use medical cannabis specifically for treating or alleviating symptoms associated with a variety of medical conditions or ailments. There are 25 qualifying conditions eligible for treatment with medical cannabis in Ohio. They include AIDS , Alzheimer's, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), cancer; chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Doubling down? In short, the state limits how many dispensaries can operate in Ohio and, more specifically, within certain districts. So how is Perkins seemingly getting two at one time? It's truly by coincidence, officials said. Earlier this year, Ohio Patient Access won a lottery drawing within the state to locate a dispensary in the township. And, around this same time, The Forest applied for relocation, ultimately granted by state workers. "There was not an increase to the total number of dispensaries permitted in the district," Byington said. This then would bring Erie County's total medical marijuana count to three when factoring in Firelands Scientific in Huron. There are none in Huron or Ottawa counties with just one in Sandusky County. It's believed the state will continue adding more licenses for medical marijuana dispensaries across Ohio. As of today, there are about 60 medical marijuana dispensaries operating in Ohio. Ban goes up in smoke Back in October, township trustees lifted what's called a moratorium, or ban, on medical marijuana specifically for dispensaries. Officials reversed course on their previous stance against allowing dispensaries. More recently, they cited confidence in dispensaries operating legally and peacefully. They pointed to the two doing business right now in Erie County: The Forest Sandusky in Sandusky and Firelands Scientific in Huron. Dispensaries also produce taxes, one of the main reasons why officials in the area support them. Perkins' ban against cultivation and processing centers, meanwhile, will remain intact for now.