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Marijuana Next Door
Neighbors sound off about the pot farms that could pop up nearby should Issue 3 pass in November.
By Johnna Jackson and Amirreza Samarghandi
The potential legalization of marijuana in Ohio has elicited mixed reactions from the communities surrounding the three possible grow sites in the Cincinnati area.
The proposed Issue 3, which would legalize both recreational and medicinal use of marijuana in Ohio for adults 21 and older, names Anderson Township, Clermont County and Middletown as three of the 10 designated sites where marijuana could be grown if ResponsibleOhio’s legislation passes in November.
Journalism and Electronic Media students from the University of Cincinnati canvassed the neighborhoods of the three proposed sites in Southwest Ohio. They asked residents, workers, business owners and public officials what they thought of the chance to live or work next door to Ohio’s newest growing industry.
Anderson Township
Address: 8485 Broadwell Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45244
Size of Site: 24.466 acres
Current Owner: Evans Landscaping, Broadwell Factory Group
Notable Investors: Oscar Robertson (former NBA legend), Frostee Rucker (former Bengals player)
Type of Neighborhood: Mixed residential and industrial
Nearby Neighbors: Gymnastics Central, Pavestone Landscapes, Puppy Playcare, Ethel's Tavern
Did You Know? If Issue 3 passes, Gymnastics Central (which offers multiple classes for ages 2-12) will have to relocate.
Quotable: “Everybody’s growing something, so what’s the difference?” - Paul Schaff, resident near the grow site
Clermont County
Address: Winding Creek Boulevard and Olive Branch-Stonelick Road, Batavia, Ohio 45103
Size of Site: 13.43 acres
Current Owner: Winding Creek Estates
Notable Investor: Frank Wood (former WEBN radio host)
Type of Neighborhood: Rural, residential, and commercial
Nearby Neighbors: W.T. Nickell Label Company, Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Ashton Pointe Apartment Homes, Clermont Animal Hospital, Lexington Run Subdivision, Camp Allyn, Amelia Middle and High Schools
Did You Know? Lots in Winding Creek Estates are currently for sale for $50,000 to $100,000 an acre.
Quotables: “I defy anybody who supports this issue to actually read it. It’s more than 6,500 words to set up a special deal for pot. The Constitution of the United States, including the signatures, is only 4,543 words. If you need that many words for a joint, you’re lying.” - John Thebout, Batavia Village Mayor
Middletown
Address: Yankee & Todhunter Road, Middletown, Ohio 45050
Size of Site: 40.44 acres
Current Owner: Magnode Corp.
Notable Investors: Nanette Lepore (New York fashion designer), Paul Heldman (former Kroger attorney), Woody Taft and Dudley Taft Jr., (brothers, cousin of former Ohio Governor Bob Taft)
Type of Neighborhood: Industrial and residential
Nearby Neighbors: AmeriGas, Kohl’s, Monroe Local Schools
Did You Know? The site is less than half mile from the Monroe Board of Education building, less than one mile from Monroe Jr. and Senior High School
Quotables: “We do not need another legalized drug to tempt our young people.” - Monroe Schools Board of Education
Maps: Staci Boothe
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