Andrew Wagner, head of operations at Bloom, told the Journal-News officials are starting to train staff and will open after that.
“We are working as quickly as possible to open our doors,” Wagner said. “We anticipate opening no later than the end of September.”
The State Pharmacy Board had to give final approval before the doors can open. The certificate of operation was issued Tuesday.
In June 2016, former Gov. John Kasich signed a bill into law that authorizes use by patients with 21 conditions, including cancer or chronic pain, in the form of edibles, oils, patches and vaporizing. Patients and their caregivers will be allowed to possess up to a 90 day supply. Smoking or home growing it is barred.
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Wagner said the store will open with seven to 10 employees but they have plans to expand the staff to a dozen to 15 within six months to a year.
Bloom is a family-owned company with more than five years of experience in the cannabis business.
“We take the time to work with each individual patient to help identify products that will work best specifically for them,” Wagner said. “Our goal is to bring safe access to medical cannabis and be a positive addition to nearby communities. Bloom Medicinals strives to be a socially responsible organization with a goal of improving quality of life and well being for our patients and those around us.”
Seven Mile officials were divided on whether to allow medical marijuana in their tiny village. Council members Melissa Mick and Cindy Wilson cast the no votes on dissolving the nine-month moratorium that had been in place and setting rules for the new business venture a year ago.
Mayor Vivian Gorsuch, who has been a supporter, said the council got a tour of the new facility on Monday and it’s “a very nice building, proud to have it in Seven Mile.” She said she can’t wait for the doors to open.
“We look forward to it, it’s been a long couple years coming,” she said adding “I can’t wait to get it up and going and I can’t wait for the week after, we’ll see how it’s doing then. I think it’ll calm down after that time.”
The Strawberry Fields dispensary in Monroe is ready to open for business, but they still need the state pharmacy board’s blessing.
The shop was originally targeted to open in mid-May, then June and then was delayed to August. The owners could not be reached for comment. Ali Simon, public and policy affairs liaison for state pharmacy board, wouldn’t offer any information about the hold up.
“We are continuing to assess the unique circumstances surrounding each provisional dispensary licensee,” was all she would say.
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