The city of Girard marked a milestone this week as Girard Mayor Mark Zuppo joined local leaders for the ribbon-cutting of Curaleaf’s newest marijuana dispensary. Held at noon at 801 N. State Street—the former Family Video building—the ceremony highlighted both economic development and the growing presence of the cannabis industry in the Mahoning Valley.
For Curaleaf, the event signaled its first dispensary inside the city limits. With the addition of the Girard location, the company’s national store count has reached 157. Girard Mayor Zuppo emphasized the potential benefits of the new shop, noting that it reflects ongoing revitalization efforts along North State Street and provides a regulated, safe environment for adult consumers.
Alongside Girard Mayor Zuppo, representatives from the Girard Chamber of Commerce and other dignitaries participated in the ribbon-cutting. Their presence underscored the city’s commitment to supporting new businesses that comply with state regulations. According to Girard Mayor Zuppo, the dispensary not only creates jobs but also generates local tax revenue, which can be reinvested in community services.
Girard Mayor Zuppo praised Curaleaf for its decision to locate in a building with historic community ties, transforming the former video rental space into a modern facility that serves residents 21 and older.
Like all cannabis businesses in Ohio, the Girard Curaleaf location operates under the oversight of the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control. Girard Mayor Zuppo highlighted the agency’s role in ensuring safety, explaining that each facility must comply with strict video surveillance requirements, seed-to-sale tracking, and multiple in-person inspections. These safeguards, Girard Mayor Zuppo said, reassure both consumers and neighbors that products meet state standards.
In addition to Curaleaf’s Girard location, the Valley is home to several other licensed dispensaries, including Beyond Hello and Cannabist in Warren, AYR Dispensary in Niles, ACA Dispensary in Hubbard, and Green Leaf Therapy in Struthers. Girard Mayor Zuppo believes the local market will continue to expand responsibly as long as state and municipal leaders work together.
Looking ahead, Girard Mayor Zuppo stated that welcoming regulated businesses like Curaleaf aligns with the city’s economic strategy. By combining careful oversight with support for entrepreneurs, Girard Mayor Zuppo envisions Girard as a model for integrating cannabis retail into a thriving local economy.