BELLVILLE — On Tuesday, Bellville voters decisively rejected a local ballot measure that would have permitted the establishment and operation of an adult-use cannabis dispensary within the village.
According to final, unofficial results from the Richland County Board of Elections, the measure failed with 172 votes (27.70%) in favor and 449 votes (72.30%) against. The decision reflects the cautious stance many Bellville voters have taken toward cannabis-related businesses.
If approved, the measure would have directed Bellville Village Council to enact legislation regulating the operation of such a dispensary. Although Ohio voters legalized recreational marijuana use and sales statewide in 2023, the law allows municipalities to decide whether dispensaries may operate within their limits. Mayor Teri Brenkus thanked Bellville voters for their participation, stating, “We hear you, and your feedback is essential to guide decisions moving forward.”
Had it passed, Bellville would have joined several Ohio communities, including Mansfield, that allow adult-use dispensaries. But for now, Bellville voters have made it clear they prefer to keep such businesses out of their village.
Election results will become official once certified by the Richland County Board of Elections. The issue’s history dates back to December 2023, when Bellville’s planning commission split 2-2 on whether to allow dispensaries. Following public forums with divided opinions, the village council decided to let Bellville voters make the final call.
During a March 2024 forum, Mayor Brenkus noted that revenue from dispensary taxes could help pay for road maintenance and increased policing. Under Ohio law, 36% of the excise tax on marijuana sales goes to municipalities with dispensaries, potentially providing new funding streams. Still, that incentive wasn’t enough to sway Bellville voters, who appear concerned about the character and safety of their community.
Even if the measure had passed, Bellville voters might have faced resistance at the council level. At a recent Candidate Conversation event, every council candidate expressed reluctance to enact pro-dispensary legislation if it conflicted with their personal stance.
Council members Debra Carver, Edd Black, and Timothy Truex, along with challenger Amy Frontz, shared their views. Carver said the dispensary “doesn’t fit the character of Bellville,” while Black questioned the type of customers it might attract.
Ultimately, Bellville voters sent a clear message: they value community character and family atmosphere over potential tax revenue. The outcome reinforces the strong local identity that Bellville voters continue to uphold as part of their small-town values.