Akron council refers proposal for dual-use cannabis dispensary at 235 East Waterloo Road for further study

On March 17, 2025, the City of Akron City Council referred for further study a petition to establish a dual-use cannabis dispensary at 235 East Waterloo Road, council members announced during a special public hearing.

Planning staff presented the application, saying Battle Green Real Estate LLC seeks approval to convert a vacant drive-through restaurant on the site into a dual-use (medical and recreational) cannabis dispensary. The staff presentation described the building as receiving cosmetic branding updates while otherwise remaining unchanged, with 38 parking spaces and access drives on the east and west sides of the lot. Planning staff also said a row of shrubbery along the north side of the parking lot would screen activity from lower-elevation residential properties to the north and that deliveries would occur within a secure area. The notice for the hearing was advertised in the Akron Beacon Journal and on the City Council website.

Craig Mower, identified as representing Battle Green and Cannimed, told council the petitioner has operated medical marijuana dispensaries in Columbus, Cleveland, Garfield Heights, Springfield and Fremont and that the company is vertically integrated with a grow and processing facility in Columbus. “We've been a medical marijuana operator since the inception of the program,” Mower said, adding the site has been vacant since about last September and that the proposal meets state spacing and other requirements. Mower said the petitioner intends to operate 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week, would maintain an on-site guard during business hours and employ a compliance officer to monitor state rules.

One member of the public, who identified themself as Apostolate, spoke in opposition on religious and medical grounds and raised concerns about outside investors profiting while money leaves Akron. Apostolate said, “I have opposition to this not only for religious reasons ' but also for medical reasons.”

After the public comment period, Councilman Fusco moved to refer the item for further study. The council stated the item would be referred; no final approval or adoption occurred at the meeting. The referral means the council has not taken a final vote on the conditional-use request and further committee review or staff follow-up is expected.

Key details reported by staff: the applicant proposes 38 parking spaces, operating hours up to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., deliveries within a secure area, an on-site guard during business hours and compliance monitoring. Staff said the site meets the state-mandated separation requirements cited by the petitioner, including a 500-foot buffer from prohibited facilities and being more than one mile from other dispensaries awarded or operating, as stated by the petitioner during the hearing.

Council records and staff will reflect the referral and the petition will return to committee for additional review before any final action by council.