Land slated for marijuana cultivation sells at double its value

On May 18, Anil “A.K” Bhatara of Anderson, S.C., purchased 3.3 vacant acres on Cox Smith Road, off Mason-Morrow-Milgrove Road, in Union Twp. for $90,000, according to Warren County property records.

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The price was $5,000 more than the previous owner paid in August 2014 and more than double the $43,550 listed as the current true value of the land south of Lebanon in the Kings school district, but using a Mason mailing address, records showed.

Neither the property owner or the applicant for the county zoning permit, Karun Bhatara, could be reached for comment on the purchase price or plans for the property.

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The application indicates plans for a 3,500 square foot pole barn for medical marijuana cultivation. Karun Bhatara is also expected to build a home on the property.

Elsewhere in Warren County, Springboro is close to prohibiting medical marijuana businesses and Lebanon is discussing what to do about the legalization of medical marijuana in Ohio. Cities and villages can zone out the use through local rules.

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Townships such as those targetted for the use in Warren County have no such zoning authority, but can regulate the use through the state health code, according to Bruce McGary, the assistant county prosecutor who advising the county on the issue.

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County officials indicated they still expect at least one other permit application, , possibly in Harlan Twp., based on inquiries about cultivation or processing marijuana for medical use in Warren County.

In June, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed a law legalizing marijuana for use by patients with one of 21 conditions, such as cancer, traumatic brain injury or chronic pain. It also allows medical marijuana edibles, oils, patches and vaporizing, but not smoking or home growing, to supply the patients.

The county permit would be used as part of submissions made to qualify for one of up to 24 medical marijuana cultivator licenses the Ohio Department of Commerce can issue “prior to” Sept. 9, 2018, according to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Control Program.