Findlay puts the brakes on vape

FINDLAY — A 12-month moratorium on new vape, smoke and hemp retail shops has been imposed by the city of Findlay, with officials citing concerns over unregulated products and a surge in openings since recreational marijuana became legal in Ohio. City council voted 10-0 at its regular meeting on Nov. 18 in favor of the stay. It prohibits new establishments for one year but does not affect existing vape shops or approved cannabis dispensaries. Mayor Christina Muryn said the pause gives the city time to respond to state-level developments and create local rules. "This really follows in line with some of the discussion going on at the state level," Muryn told council. "There's a variety of products that are not kind of state or federally regulated — hemp products, the Delta-8, some of these other items that are problematic. We had the issues at Major Vape as well as some others. This just allows us time to see what the state does as well as then put some better restrictions locally on these establishments." The moratorium was first introduced on Oct. 21 at the request of Zoning Administrator Erik Adkins. In a letter to council, Adkins said the city has seen a spike in vape and hemp retailers since Ohio voters approved recreational marijuana in November 2023. "Several of these shops have generated nuisance complaints and are suspected of selling unregulated THC or synthetic cannabinoid products," Adkins said. The proposal came just days after Major Vapor, 1749 Tiffin Ave., was raided by the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force and Findlay Police Department on Oct. 7. Investigators reported multiple complaints of illegal marijuana sales, including to juveniles. Controlled purchases confirmed the allegations, and officers seized marijuana, THC edibles, psilocybin edibles, a handgun and cash. "If there's a current establishment and they bring those in, we can't do anything. We can't go in and shut them down. Obviously, if they're selling to underage, which was how some of the stuff with Major Vape (came up)," Muryn said. The moratorium does not affect licensed marijuana dispensaries, which are regulated under separate zoning rules adopted earlier this year. Council approved four overlay districts for cannabis retail: the Tiffin Avenue corridor, County Road 99 near Interstate 75, Trenton Avenue west of I-75 and West Main Cross Street near I-75. The rules limit the number of dispensaries to two within the city and allow growing and processing facilities in light industrial districts under conditional use. Permits can be revoked if conditions are violated. Ohio law gives municipalities the authority to limit adult-use cannabis operators. Two dispensaries have already been approved: Trulieve, headquartered in Quincy, Florida, plans to convert 1501 W. Main Cross Street, formerly Guaranteed Auto Dealer, into a cannabis dispensary. The project includes $600,000 in renovations. Another dispensary is planned for 2205 Tiffin Avenue, across from Meijer. A total of 52% of Findlay voters supported legalizing recreational marijuana in Ohio in the 2023 election.