Akron City Council has approved the establishment of a new cannabis dispensary by Terrasana at 235 E. Waterloo Road, the former location of Steinly’s Restaurant. The council voted unanimously on May 19, allowing Terrasana to operate both a medical and adult-use dispensary at this site.
Steinly’s Restaurant, a local favorite, closed its doors in late 2023 after years of serving the Firestone Park community. The property has a rich history, having housed various drive-in restaurants since the mid-1950s, including the Beverly Park Drive-In, which opened in 1956. Over the decades, it changed hands and names several times before Steinly’s took over in 1992.
Terrasana, an Ohio-based cannabis business, currently operates five dispensaries across the state, with locations in Garfield Heights, Grandview, Fremont, Middletown, and Springfield. The company also plans to open a new store in Canton, which is in close proximity to Akron. According to their website, Terrasana holds licenses from the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control to cultivate and process cannabis in Columbus under the names CannaMed Therapeutics LLC and CannaMed Therapeutics Processing, LLC.
Craig Maurer, co-founder of Terrasana, expressed enthusiasm about becoming a part of the Akron community during a public hearing with the city council. He noted that many of the company’s owners have ties to Ohio, with personal connections to the region. Terrasana has received a provisional state license for the new dispensary in Akron and is working towards launching additional stores in Canton and Zanesville.
Despite recent regulatory changes in Akron, including a six-month moratorium on new smoke and vape shops, this does not impact the operation of regulated cannabis dispensaries like Terrasana. The council’s ordinance, passed on May 5, specifically targets smoke and vape establishments due to concerns about unregulated operations and compliance issues. City officials aim to address regulatory gaps that have allowed some shops to operate without proper licensing.
The establishment of Terrasana’s dispensary marks a shift in the building’s use, moving from a traditional dining establishment to a center for cannabis commerce. The new business is expected to contribute to the local economy and provide residents with access to both medical and recreational cannabis products.
As the cannabis industry continues to grow in Ohio, Terrasana’s new location in Akron will add to the expanding market, which is becoming increasingly regulated by state authorities. This move aligns with broader trends in cannabis legalization and acceptance across the United States, as more states recognize the benefits of regulated cannabis sales.
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