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YOUNGSTOWN -- The Mahoning Valley business owner who won the right to build one of Ohio's 12 large marijuana-growing operations said he will not allow distractions by some politicians seeking new offices to deter his work in setting up his business and creating new job opportunities.
Riviera Creek Holdings LLC of Youngstown, owned by Brian Kessler and his nephew, Daniel Kessler, was awarded a Level 1 license Nov. 30 by the Ohio Department of Commerce for up to 25,000 square feet of growing space.
"I am a local businessman and I have mandates from the state I have to meet," said Daniel Kessler, chief operating officer of Riviera Creek Holdings. "I have to meet those requirements or we will not be allowed to move forward, so until there is word from the Ohio Department of Commerce, I am going forward."
"We have to be fully operational in nine months," he said. "Preferably in less time."
Ohio Attorney General candidate and state Auditor Dave Yost, and governor candidates Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor and Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley each said the process for selecting the cultivation licenses should be reviewed, frozen and, if necessary, redone.
Questions about the process surfaced when it was learned that Trevor Bozeman, one of the consultants that reviewed applications, was convicted in a Pennsylvania court on charges of manufacturing, possessing and distributing drugs. A marijuana possession charge was dropped.
"This is an epic failure," said Yost. "I am outraged. The only proper course of action is to freeze the process, and independently review the evaluation and scoring from the ground up. And the administration needs to explain how this drug dealer ended up telling the government how to run its fledgling medical marijuana program."
Whaley said the double standard that was practiced in the selection of Bozeman's company, iCann Consulting, should be lost on no one.
Thomas Rosenberger, executive director of the National Cannabis Industry Association of Ohio, dismissed the allegations.
"The Department of Commerce has said iCann Consulting met all the requirements to receive the contract and that their scoring appears to have been done professionally," Rosenberger said. "We take the department at their word, and for the sake of Ohio's patients believe the licensing process should continue as scheduled."
Kerry Francis, director of communications at the Ohio Department of Commerce, on Friday expressed confidence in the department's selection process.
"Ohio Department of Commerce has confidence in the steps we took to ensure a consistent and impartial evaluation," Francis said. "We intend to follow the requirements of the timelines set forth by the (medical marijuana) legislation."
As far as Kessler is concerned, nothing has changed. He emphasized that it only has been one week since the grow companies were named.
"Our goal is to continue working to bring jobs to the area," Kessler said. "We are continuing our investments and there will be no interruptions. We are meeting with our contractors and equipment suppliers."
Kessler said one of the company's early goals is to make sure the building's security is in place, including fencing, gates, alarms and security cameras.
"On the inside, there really is not a lot to do," he said. "We will be putting up walls to make specific rooms and offices. The Crescent Street building is a typical warehouse facility with offices."
In addition to getting the grow operation started, Kessler said they are completing their application for a processing license.
Applications for a processing license are due to the Ohio Department of Commerce on Friday.
"We are doing this the right way," Kessler said. "We want to make an impact on the community. Not just on the jobs that we create, but also with the jobs that will be created in support of what we will be doing."
rsmith@tribtoday.com