Posted: Jun 3, 2026 / 06:57 PM EDT

Updated: Jun 3, 2026 / 10:27 PM EDT

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Aug. 6 will mark two years since recreational marijuana started being sold legally in Ohio.

Youngstown-based growing and processing facility Riviera Creek is located on Crescent Street. It’s been around for nine years and has continued to grow since recreational use started 22 months ago.

The business is integral to the state’s cannabis industry, and Brian Kessler, one of its owners, says business is good.

“We’re over 10,000 pounds of cannabis, which in units, is usually one gram or smaller, 10s of millions of units,” Kessler said.

There are now 110 people who work at Riviera Creek, and it’s continuing to expand. The business is adding two new grow rooms, which will bring the number to 12, and they’re also adding an addition to the building.

“We’re the number one brand in the state. We’re the number one high-quality product that you can buy in Ohio, and we have a really loyal following, which is really exciting. And as we introduce new products, they’ve been well received. So, back in the day, we had four SKUs, literally four items that we sold, and today we probably have 60,” Kessler said.

Kessler said with the advent of recreational use, it was projected that Ohio’s marijuana industry would produce $2 billion a year.

“It came in under $1 billion, and it’s still not $2 billion. The growth looks like $1.2 billion to $1.4 billion at most,” Kessler said.

The table in the Riviera Creek conference room had a sampling of those products, including vials and joints filled with marijuana. There were other new products, such as free dried caramel flavored edibles — an alternative to chewy gummies. They’re three for $10.

“This doesn’t exist — not just in Ohio — it doesn’t exist anywhere in the world,” Kessler said.

In September, Riviera Creek will introduce $20 DIY Riv Sticks, containing three pre-rolls and a gram of marijuana.

“Take and pour whatever amount you want,” Kessler said.

The clear Riv Sticks for $24 will come in August. It’s a new type of rolling paper designed not to absorb moisture and keep a pre-rolled joint fresher for longer.

Kessler said Riviera Creek is also looking to develop drinks infused with THC that could possibly be sold in bars. He also hopes the federal government legalizes marijuana for medical use, because it could allow the company to sell its products overseas.