Cleveland plant store confused for marijuana dispensary

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A plant store in Cleveland’s Ohio City is often confused for a dispensary due to a name picked out long before recreational marijuana was legalized.

The name: Recreational Pots and Plants.

“I have people coming into the store, and you know what they’re looking for, they come in, take a quick look around, they spin around and they leave,” said owner Lori Switaj. “We thought it was funny; we didn’t think it was going to become legal anytime soon.”

The store opened in 2020, but now with the change of legislation, several people each week call or walk into the store, looking for a different type of flower.

But there are no plans to pivot the business.

That’s because her co-owner and husband, Timothy McCormick, is a Cleveland Judge.

“You pass the licensing requirements, and there is nothing to prohibit me, but I’m sure the Ohio Supreme Court would frown on it,” said McCormick.

He says while it would be allowed, he does not believe anyone with the job of upholding the law should own a shop selling substances.

He describes it as a bad look and a dangerous potential for a “slippery slope.”

It’s just like owning a liquor store; take it back 15 years, you just don’t want to be in that position, cross that line wherever regulations say not to go, you have people working for you, and you aren’t paying close attention, things could happen," said McCormick.

So, while you can get a great house plant at Recreational Pots and Plants, anyone looking for something stronger will have to go elsewhere.

“To all of the people watching this: All of our foliage in here is house plants only; you can’t smoke it.”

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