Some Wayne Residents Upset CBD Kratom Shop Pops Up Within Walking Distance Of Several Schools
WAYNE, Pa. (CBS) -- A store pops up in Wayne and has some residents, especially parents, upset. CBD Kratom is right on Lancaster Avenue.
It's near a number of schools -- within walking distance of Radnor Middle and Saint Katharine of Siena school.
Some people say they want this new CBD and kratom dispensary out of here.
In what was an old closed-down Starbucks, there's new life in this prime location along Lancaster Avenue in the heart of Wayne.
Locals say they thought it might be a burger or shake place since the windows had been covered up. But the unveiling sometime earlier this month revealed the CBD Kratom Cannabis Dispensary.
Social media ignited with questions. How did this business just open?
"To put something, a facility like this so close to a school, it also cheapens Wayne," Radnor Township resident John Ricciutti said.
The board president ordered the sign along Lancaster Avenue to come down. But many say it's too little too late and that this company's attempts to ask for forgiveness, not permission, aren't welcome here.
"I had no idea that was coming in," Radnor Township Board of Commissioners President Moira Mulroney said. "They didn't ask for permits, they didn't abide by our code and our ordinances to open the buildign."
CBD kratom Cannabis Dispensary in Wayne was forced to closed just days after it opened under what many say was an intentional cover of darkness.
"Apparently they came in, did their work with the windows all covered," resident Cathy Agnew said.
On Monday night, concerned parents came out wondering how this could even happen, especially within walking distance of several local schools.
"How did a store that sells substances that are banned in 19 states literally open illegally next to two schools, three nursery schools, and two local churches without anyone knowing about it?" a parent asked.
While CBD and kratom are both legal in Pennsylvania, kratom, a plant known for its pain-relieving properties, is not regulated by the FDA.
A quick Google search shows the pain reliever and stimulant is widely available in the city and suburbs. You have to be 18 to purchase.
The U.S. government came close to banning it, with the FDA even attempting to classify it as a Schedule 1 controlled substance.
Advocates say it's an important tool for treating chronic pain and the side effects of addiction.
Many worry that even the sign outside is already negatively impacting this community.
"Every day that sign is up another day a child learns about these harmful products," a parent said.
While the township has said the sign must come down until the business receives proper approvals to open, many are now asking township leaders to block this business from being allowed to operate in the future.
"They have to let people know they will lose their investment when they act this way in this township," Agnew said.
The company responded in a statement to CBS3. Read the full statement below.
"Our opening for this location is currently being delayed. Both sides are indeed working together towards a solution and we look forward to rectifying the situation. We were alerted by the city township on Thursday, February 10th of concerns regarding permit issues, and our team took immediate action to work diligently towards resolving them. This morning, our in-house counsel and Vice President had a call with the City Attorney and Director of Community Development in Radnor to clarify misunderstandings between the parties. During the call, we extended an invitation via the City Attorney for town officials to attend an informational education session about our company products and any questions they may have.
We plan to also hold a similar educational session for community members. These sessions would include information on both cannabis and kratom. Cannabis dispensary is an accurate statement of our business: we simply dispense cannabis. Specifically, we sell hemp-derived cannabis products with less than 0.3% Delta-9 THC. Our products do not fall under the purview of the Pennsylvania Code for medical marijuana because we do not sell medical marijuana, nor any product with above 0.3% Delta-9 THC. We carry both kratom and kratom specialty products. As members of the American Kratom Association, we are proud to uphold industry best practices, which include implementing age restrictions as well as educating consumers on the products we carry. I'd like to share this Bloomberg Article with you as it provides a high-level overview of kratom in the United States. Our Vice President did provide comments for this article."
"In October of 2021, we signed a lease for the former Starbucks facility after doing due diligence with Delaware County and Wayne Business Overlay District (WBOD). Unfortunately, Radnor Township requirements were not identified by our team. I strive to live by our core values, which include Responsibility, and which is why I take full ownership of this oversight. As always, we strive to be part of the communities we serve, which is one of the reasons we chose this facility in South Wayne. It was utilized as a previous training facility for Starbucks and the space provides us with a golden opportunity to have a permanent educational space for both us and our community," CBD Kratom Vice President Dafna Revah said in a statement.
CBS3's Joe Holden and Alicia Roberts contributed to this report.
