Joseph Cuesta said in a phone interview that he lost a couple of investors in the venture and was concerned he couldn’t pull together the $400,000 he estimated was needed for a Level 2 growing facility, allowing initally for up to 3,000 square feet of medical marijuana.
Also, he says he has added security concerns after the state of Ohio recently released the names and addresses of all of the applicants.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for the state to publish that,” he said.
This news outlet contacted the Ohio Department of Commerce, which has neither confirmed nor denied whether any applicants have withdrawn their applications.
ORIGINAL STORY Oct. 12, 2017
A several-acre farm in Englewood is among the 185 properties vying to become a medical marijuana cultivation site, according to license application records obtained from the Ohio Department of Commerce.
The records show a company called Compassionate Hearts Cultivation — with the trade name Farm Zero LLC — has applied for a license to grow medical marijuana at a property listed as 6549 Westbrook Road.
MAP: Where medical marijuana could be grown in Ohio
Although the property has a Clayton mailing address, it is actually located in Englewood, according to Montgomery County property records.
The applicant is listed in state records as Joseph Cuesta, who is also listed in county records as owner of that residential address as well as a neighboring five-acre farm.
Cuesta could not be reached for comment.
The property abuts Clayton to the east and Trotwood to the south.
Englewood has no ordinances on the books regulating medical marijuana, according to city development director Bill Singer.
RELATED: Medical marijuana near you? These cities and townships have made their decisions
Trotwood last month let a 6-month moratorium on medical marijuana in that city to expire. The Trotwood City Council is planning to vote in the next few weeks on whether to pass a permanent ban, according to city staff.
Clayton also had a temporary ban in place that expired earlier this year.
RELATED: Trotwood council extends city’s moratorium on medical marijuana
State records say Cuesta has applied for a Level 2 license, which would allow the company to grow up to 3,000-square-feet of medical marijuana in an indoor facility. The property is currently vacant.
State officials plan next month to award two-dozen medical marijuana cultivation licenses across the state. The Englewood property is among several in the Dayton area.
MORE ON OHIO MEDICAL MARIJUANA:
About the Author
