Shane Ayrsman of Tweedle D’s Talks Cannabis & Law on YS Chamber Insights
Shane Ayrsman of Tweedle D’s in Yellow Springs sat down with Executive Director Phillip O’Rourke for a candid conversation about cannabis, regulation, and the evolving landscape facing small retail businesses. Tweedle D’s is a farm-to-table cannabis store serving the Miami Valley and beyond with high-quality, farm-sourced goods. They offer products designed to help with pain, anxiety, stress, and sleep and are known for their personalized service and commitment to education.
The Interview
A significant portion of the discussion centered on Ohio Senate Bill 56 (SB 56), which revises Ohio’s marijuana and intoxicating hemp laws. The legislation restructures oversight under the Division of Cannabis Control, places caps on dispensary licenses, tightens buffer requirements, and limits the sale of certain intoxicating hemp products outside licensed dispensaries. While supporters describe the bill as a measure to streamline regulation and enhance consumer protections, critics argue that it introduces barriers that may disproportionately impact smaller retailers.
For independent shops like Tweedle D’s, regulatory shifts of this scale can create operational uncertainty, increased compliance costs, and potential restrictions on product assortment. In small communities, these impacts often extend beyond a single storefront. Reduced inventory flexibility, changes in customer access, or additional licensing hurdles can influence foot traffic, neighboring businesses, and municipal revenue streams.
Small communities frequently face heightened challenges when statewide regulations are implemented. Limited legal and compliance resources, lean staffing structures, and narrower economic margins can make adaptation more difficult than in larger metropolitan areas. What may appear to be a narrow regulatory change can create ripple effects across an entire local economy over time.
In response, Tweedle D’s is leading an effort to collect signatures from individuals who share concerns about the bill’s potential impacts. The initiative is designed to encourage civic engagement and provide an avenue for community voices to be heard. Follow them on social media for hours and events. CLICK HERE
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At its core, the broader takeaway is clear: all small businesses, and their diverse assortments, matter. When one sector is affected, the impact rarely remains isolated. In close-knit communities, what influences one business has the potential to influence many, shaping the economic character and sustainability of the community as a whole.
