Grove City narrows annual retail marijuana review to safety director; Stringtown Road dispensary hearing set for April 7

The Grove City Council amended the city’s codified ordinance governing retail dispensing of medical and recreational marijuana to better define the annual review process for licensees and to assign that annual review to the city safety director. Council approved the ordinance on its second reading after the amendment.

A first reading was held for a separate application: a special‑use permit for a dispensary proposed by Ohio Cannabis Company at 1947 Stringtown Road. That application had a first reading; the council scheduled a second reading and public hearing for April 7.

Councilmember Burrows described the amendment’s intent: the ordinance “is to better define the annual review of the process to review this section” and to give licensees an opportunity to correct violations “like a liquor permit that a bar or a restaurant would have in Grove City.” A motion was made and adopted to replace references to “city staff” with the “city safety director” for the annual review in section T of the ordinance.

Under the special‑use permit item, at least one person had signed up to speak; under new business resident Keeley Thomas spoke during public comment and opposed allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries in the city, saying, “I'm asking you to think about the kids. I'm asking you to think about the families.” Another person listed to speak on the dispensary (Akili Thomas) was noted in the meeting sign‑up and directed to address the council under new business or April 7 public hearing.

The amendment to name the safety director as the responsible reviewer passed and the ordinance cleared second reading and public hearing; the dispensary application remains at first reading and will return for further public comment and a vote on April 7.