You can’t try to sell marijuana with an ice cream truck. Under Ohio law, all marketing and advertising materials for recreational marijuana must be pre-approved by the state Division of Cannabis Control. In fact, businesses can’t even call their product “recreational.” The division uses the words “non-medical” or “adult-use” cannabis. And “food trucks/other food offered for sale or complimentary” are prohibited. So not a month into legal sales, the Botanist, which has locations in Cleveland, Wickliffe, Akron, Canton and Columbus, has been fined $150,000 because it violated rules on food, an unapproved social media post and a noncompliant sign. Other businesses also have been fined, but no others for offering free ice cream. — Laura |
Overnight Scores and Weather |
Guardians vs. Kansas City Royals: Guardians fit to be tied atop AL Central after losing third straight to Royals, 6-1 Northeast Ohio weather forecast: Heat, storm chances continue |
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Sales of recreational marijuana began Aug. 6 in Ohio. |
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Pot fines: In the days leading up to the start of recreational marijuana sales, five cannabis licensees have been fined for promotions that were not pre-approved by the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control, reports Laura Hancock. The fines underscore how seriously the Division of Cannabis Control is taking its role regulating marijuana businesses. HB6 appeal: The U.S. Department of Justice told a federal appeals court Monday that the prosecution got it right: Ex-Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder accepted millions of dollars in bribes from FirstEnergy Corp. and deserves every day of his 20-year prison sentence. Jake Zuckerman reports that Householder appealed his conviction earlier this year, arguing that “knowing winks and nods” don’t prove a bribe. Today in Ohio: State officials have released the official arguments for and against Issue 1, the redistricting amendment. We’re talking about the opposing side’s dishonest explanation of the anti-gerrymandering reform on Today in Ohio, cleveland.com’s daily half-hour news podcast. |
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Republican endorsements: The Ohio Republican Party has endorsed every GOP nominee for federal and state office this year, with one conspicuous exception: Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens. Jeremy Pelzer reports the snub illustrates how many Ohio Republicans remain upset with Stephens almost 18 months after he was elected speaker with the help of Democratic votes over state Rep. Derek Merrin, the Toledo-area Republican backed by a majority of House Republicans. Bernie Moreno: Republican businessman Bernie Moreno is working to re-launch his family’s high-end car sales business as he runs for U.S. Senate, recent financial disclosures show. Andrew Tobias reports a Moreno-controlled business spent $9.5 million to buy a 25-acre plot of land in April near an outlet mall in Delaware County off Interstate 71, about 10 miles north of Columbus. County records show Moreno took out a mortgage through Mercedes-Benz around the same time. Turnpike fees: The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission announced Tuesday it is suspending late fees, the transfer of unpaid tolls to collection agencies, and the placing of blocks on motor-vehicle registrations through mid-October to give drivers time to adjust to the highway’s new tolling system, Jeremy Pelzer reports. Police grants: Local police departments in Northeast Ohio are getting grants from the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Assistance that they’ll use to buy new patrol vehicles and hire, train, and retain law-enforcement officers, reports Sabrina Eaton. Tax help: The recent appraisal that sent Cuyahoga County home values soaring has many property owners worried about paying their upcoming tax bills, but local officials say relief needs to come from the state. Kaitlin Durbin reports officials pointed to a series of state bills that could freeze taxes for certain homeowners aged 70 or older, limit the percentage of income homeowners and renters are paying toward their property taxes, expand the homestead exemption to cover more seniors, and restore local governmentfunding for schools, libraries and other essential services. |
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Police commission: The Cleveland Community Police Commission, the panel that helps oversee the reform of the police department, will face an overhaul at the end of the year. The city said that it is accepting applications through Sept. 6 for several soon-to-be-vacant positions. Blazing Paddles: The annual Blazing Paddles Paddlefest!, originally scheduled for early summer only to be postponed, has been rescheduled for Sept. 15, reports Peter Krouse. The event features kayaks, paddleboards, canoes and the like on the Cuyahoga River, where it winds through the Cleveland Flats. It had been set for June 22, but it was canceled two days ahead of time. National Park: A new report from the National Park Service shows Cuyahoga Valley National Park to be an economic driver for Northeast Ohio, attracting 2.9 million visitors in 2023 who spent $139 million in nearby communities. The impact totals $225 million and supports 2,136 local jobs. |
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Nursing school: The Central School for Practical Nursing, the oldest nursing school in Ohio, has been acquired by the healthcare workforce development organization New Bridge Cleveland and will relocate to the city, reports Megan Sims. New Bridge Cleveland plans to move the school to 4050 Superior Ave., the location of the former Case Elementary School, a 66,000-square-foot facility it acquired in July. Gut health: Higher levels of a certain gut microbiome may lead to a higher risk of heart failure, independent of other risk factors, a new study from the Cleveland Clinic and Tufts University suggests. Over the past decade, a Cleveland Clinic research team has published numerous studies linking high levels of TMAO to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, stroke and chronic kidney disease, Julie Washington reports. |
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Wrongful death suit: The mother of a man killed by Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority police in 2022 has sued the agency, claiming it failed to properly train the officer who fired the fatal shots. Lucas Daprile reports the wrongful death lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, alleges the agency “took a shortcut” when it deployed Officer Desmond Ragland without adequate training. The suit says the department offered Ragland only 15 of the required 24 weeks of field training. Murder convictions: A Cuyahoga County jury on Tuesday convicted two men for fatally shooting a 29-year-old Cleveland woman as she unloaded groceries from her vehicle, killing her as her two young daughters watched. Cliff Pinckard reports Jamar Skanes, 50, of Garfield Heights, and Alontez Beasley, 35, of Cleveland, both were found guilty of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the slaying of Alyson Appling-France in January. Brad Sellers: Warrensville Heights Mayor Bradley Sellers is facing two misdemeanor charges related to his actions six years ago when he granted himself a tax abatement and signed a notarized document claiming he was debt-free, despite being $13,000 in arrears on property taxes, Kaitlin Durbin reports. Parma pursuit: A police pursuit that began in Parma ended in a crash in Cleveland and the arrest of a 17-year-old boy, reports Olivia Mitchell. The incident began at 1:45 a.m. Friday when police learned of a stolen Hyundai Elantra that was headed eastbound on Brookpark Road near 130th Street. |
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Ask Yadi: Why is it OK to wait for the doctor yet you can’t be late for your appointment? Yadi Rodriguez writes that if you find yourself sitting in the waiting room more than 15 minutes (or whatever they give you for being late), politely go to the desk and remind them that you have been waiting. Institute of Music: As a new school year begins, Cleveland Institute of Music has slated a 2024-25 concert season that’s busy and bold. It’s also scheduled for new locations around Northeast Ohio as the school’s performance center, Kulas Hall, is being renovated, reports Paris Wolfe. Grand Resort: The Grand Resort in Warren is fast becoming one of the region’s top destinations, reports Susan Glaser. The resort, the former Avalon Inn, features three notable pools – two outside and one indoors – including the adults-only Roman Bath, heated to a toasty 90 degrees and open 24 hours a day, year-round. The upscale resort is the brainchild of Ron Klingle. John Legend: An Evening with John Legend is rescheduled for September at Blossom Music Center, reports Marc Bona. The concert is slated for 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. The Cleveland Orchestra will not be performing with the musician. Best breakfast: Who makes the best breakfast in all of Greater Cleveland? We asked our readers and your responses began stacking up immediately. Yadi Rodriguez and Peter Chakerian are sitting down with your Top 3 picks to bring you the stories behind customers’ loyalty and motivation to choose them again and again. And now, drumroll please ... your winners in the “Best of Cleveland” readers poll. Restaurant losses: While many new restaurants have opened their doors in 2024, it’s unfortunately also been a year of significant loss in the food scene in Northeast Ohio. From fine-dining institutions to old-school hot dog shops, Alex Darus lists 12 of the most devastating restaurant closures of 2024. Fall movies: Labor Day weekend marks the unofficial start of the fall movie season and Hollywood hopes to keep that momentum going with a diverse mix of releases from now through Thanksgiving. Joey Morona writes that you should expect some highly anticipated sequels and several animated films to go along with the horror movies and film festival favorites that are typical this time of year. Things to do: Festival season is still here and that means Cleveland Oktoberfest and the Cleveland National Air Show will draw thousands of folks. Plus there are ballgames, shows, concerts, family events and so much more. Marc Bona lists 32 things to do in Greater Cleveland. |
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Woman arrested after snorting drugs in front of children at Mayfield Heights park Read more Medina accepting applications for municipal deer hunting program Read more Dominick Kaple takes helm as new South Euclid-Lyndhurst Schools superintendent Read more Broadview Heights residents sound off about opening the Amelia Drive-Tollis Parkway connection Read more Some Akron community centers open until 8:30 p.m. this week for people needing relief from heat Read more Ohio paranormal researchers to discuss local haunted places at Bay Village library event Read more Broadview Heights council likely to re-close connection between two residential streets Read more Shaker Heights opts for two electric sedans in First CALL mental health response team rollout Read more |
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