On June 3, 2025, Hudson City Council voted 5-1 to prohibit marijuana facilities from operating within the City. The ban includes both medical and recreational marijuana businesses.

Under the new ordinance, facilities that are engaged in the cultivation, processing, dispensing, or sale of marijuana, cannabis, or related products are not permitted to operate within Hudson. Individuals may continue to legally possess and use marijuana purchased elsewhere, in accordance with Ohio state law.

Before reaching a decision, Council sought input from the community through multiple public meetings, formal public hearings, and an online survey to gauge residents’ perspectives on the issue. Below offers a brief history of the project.

Background

Ohio became the 24th state to legalize cannabis with the passage of Issue 2 in 2023. Marijuana, including cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession and home growing, is legal for adults 21 and older.

In December 2023, the City of Hudson enacted a 12-month moratorium to allow the state time to determine the applicable licensing programs and for the City to establish local zoning regulations. While the moratorium was in place, City Council adopted regulations (ORD 23-154) which could allow recreational marijuana facilities as conditional uses District 9(only), and would require specific setback standards including a 500-foot setback from a residentially zoned parcel, school, or use of the same category.

Link to zoning map: https://export.amlegal.com/media/1200433f4ad9111abff68eba438648ee17dd9e8e/DATAOBJECTS/0-0-0-6704.pdf

Link to state ballot issue: https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/ballotboard/2022/petitionfull-textandsummary.pdf

State Division of Cannibis Control: https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/cannabis-control/licensee-resources/what-we-do/non-medical-cannabis-faq

The 12-month moratorium on accepting applications for marijuana facilities was set to expire; however, City Council enacted an additional 3-month moratorium effective until April 2, 2024 to allow for the community to be notified of the pending expiration and to seek public comment.

Citizen Input

Ballot Issue 2 to legalize recreational marijuana facilities was supported statewide in Ohio and by a majority of voters within the City of Hudson. The state regulations do allow individual communities to prohibit recreational marijuana facilities. Before reaching a decision, Council sought input from the community through multiple public meetings, formal public hearings, and an online survey to gauge residents’ perspectives on the issue.