WAVERLY— Fifteen years in the past preacher and Christian singer Josh Smith most likely by no means would have thought he would quickly be opening a authorized marijuana dispensary in Waverly.
Nevertheless, an thought and plenty of onerous work have led him to grow to be the CEO of Southern Ohio Botanicals. The shop, which opened on June 2, goals to normalize using medical hashish within the space and assist these with qualifying circumstances.
In response to the Ohio Medical Marijuana Management Program, there is just one dispensary location in Ross County with a certificates of operation. Southern Ohio Botanicals just lately grew to become the one licensed dispensary in Pike County.
In 2015 Smith was concerned in a nasty wreck that resulted in him being within the hospital for a very long time and being unable to stroll. On account of his ache from the incident, he was prescribed an opiate by his physician. All through his bodily rehab and studying how you can stroll once more he realized he was getting hooked on the drug and knew he wanted to cease, nevertheless it was the one factor that eased his ache.
“Sadly it is the way in which medical science is, in the event you take opiates for some time you’ll be addicted,” stated Smith. “I noticed ‘Hey I received an issue right here.'”
After performing some analysis Smith discovered about medical marijuana, how some states have been legalizing it and the steps Ohio was taking in that course. He started speaking with Bryan Roberts, now COO, and Artwork Robbins, now proprietor, about his thought.
“The planets simply aligned and right here we’re,” stated Roberts of the partnership.
Quickly they have been touring and studying all about medical marijuana and what it could actually do. Smith, who has a pharmaceutical background, stated there are such a lot of issues he discovered throughout this course of that he by no means knew in regards to the plant.
Roberts stated it was loads of work, over two years, getting ready the operation and getting all of the required licenses. He stated the appliance itself was over 150 pages lengthy. Since profitable the lottery hosted by the state to pick dispensaries the group has needed to work even tougher to show that they’ll create a enterprise with the chance they’ve been given. Fortunately, the trio has been capable of work collectively and play off one another’s strengths to get the place they’re in the present day.
“It’s loads of work, it’s loads of laws, it is hoop after hoop after hoop,” stated Roberts. “However on the finish of the day, it provides us a chance to assist our group.”
Smith stated not like some firms Southern Ohio Botanicals has a “household environment” and is run by native individuals who need to assist.
“We’re not some huge outdoors entity,” stated Smith.
The group can also be working with Affected person Care Technicians to assist educate prospects and the group on the product. Smith stated he used to name marijuana the “satan’s lettuce” so he is aware of there are numerous misconceptions about utilizing marijuana in any capability.
Every buyer will be capable of discuss with a technician about what issues they’ve and what they hope the marijuana will assist them with. Technicians then take this data and assist them choose the particular merchandise that can finest assist them.
The entire merchandise within the retailer are additionally domestically grown and checked so prospects know precisely what they’re getting in a product. This course of helps make sure that the product is protected and isn’t reduce with something that might hurt the consumer.
The shop can also be has a safety guard on website, cameras inside and outdoors and a concrete protected that all the supplies go in on the finish of the day. Clients are usually not even allowed to step foot onto the gross sales flooring with out being checked in with an ID and a medical marijuana card.
“We most likely have one of the crucial safe buildings in Pike County,” stated Roberts.
To be taught extra about Southern Ohio Botanicals go to its web site or go to the shop in particular person at 15451 US 23 in Waverly.
Shelby Reeves is a reporter for the Chillicothe Gazette. You possibly can e mail her at SReeves@gannett.com or observe her on Twitter @Shelby_Reeves_
