Jun. 11—At a recent Willoughby Hills Working Committee of Council meeting, Insa representatives made a presentation to discuss their new business set to open on Chardon Road at the former Friendly's building at the Shoppes of Willoughby Hills.

The city will now be reviewing the medical cannabis dispensary facility, which currently has dispensaries in Massachusetts, to ensure that all zoning codes are followed prior to opening the facility.

Founded in 2013 by Pete Gallagher and Pat Gottschlicht, Insa's first dispensary opened in early 2018. From there, the business expanded into Pennsylvania as a wholesaler manufacturing products for the medical market, as well as having distribution throughout the state, Gallagher said. Earlier this year, Insa began operating in Florida and the team plans to open its first stores late this summer or early fall in the Florida market.

After submitting applications to the state, Insa received a license to open its first store in Ohio in the Willoughby Hills market, said Gallagher, who hopes to open in late summer or early fall this year, which is contingent on approvals of the state and local levels.

"We're hoping to open as quickly as possible," he said, adding that Insa has management support to make sure the Ohio project will be successful and that the team will be investing a lot in making sure the Willoughby Hills location is a world class experience for people.

In an industry that's been stigmatized for decades, a great deal of education is required, Gallagher said.

"People come in with the wrong perceptions for fears about how to use it," he said. "We're committed to spending as much time as a patient or customer needs in educating them on how to use our products safely and to improve their lives."

At the time of Insa's inception, Gallagher and his business partner were thinking it would be just a local business in western Massachusetts. Now, Insa employs 500 people across three states that are currently operating now and soon to be four with Ohio.

"The passion everyone brings to this business every day is infectious," Gallagher said. "It's been great building a team and working with talented people."