3 Western Pa. Businesses Receive Medical Marijuana Permits
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) – Pennsylvania moved a step closer to producing and delivering medical marijuana to its citizens on Tuesday.
"Pretty exciting day today."
With those words, John Collins, the director of the Office of Medical Marijuana, announced the 12 companies that will be licensed to grow medical cannabis including three in this region.
Granted licenses are: Pure Penn, a Pittsburgh-based company that with Moxie, a California company, will grow and process medical marijuana on a five-acre site at RIDC Industrial Center in McKeesport; AgriMed, a minority-owned company based in Maryland that will grow marijuana near Carmichaels, Greene County; and Holistic Farms, a Washington DC company that will set up shop in New Castle, Lawrence County.
"Issuing permits today for growers and processors is a significant step forward in the implementation of Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program," says Collins. "We remain on track to get medication to patients with serious medical conditions in 2018."
KDKA's Lynne Hayes-Freeland has more from McKeesport --
Under the license, these companies have six months to become operational and growing cannabis will be on secured sites.
"A grower processor has to grow medical marijuana in an indoor, enclosed, secure facility," says Collins.
The state estimates that, on average, perhaps 40 to 60 jobs will be created at each location, and 13 additional could be issued later.
"We can, as you know, issue up to 25 grower processors in the commercial sector," he said.
It also means construction dollars for the area, as AgriMed founder and managing partner Sterling Crockett noted.
"Almost immediately we'll be taking on roughly a $35 to $40 million construction project so the economic stimulus associated with that will be of benefit for the community," said Crockett.
AgriMed teamed up with former Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham to locate its site in Carmichaels, where Ham's wife is from.
In addition to the licenses to grow and process marijuana, says Collins, "By the end of this month, we will also issue the permits for the dispensaries."
Those will be issued to 27 entities that can have up to three locations each to dispense or sell medical cannabis to eligible residents.
So that means up to 81 locations across the state where medically-qualified residents can purchase cannabis.
KDKA's Jon Delano Reports--
Now the farms have six months to become operational, after which the state will certify them to grow and process marijuana into medicine.
To buy medical cannabis, you will need a medical marijuana ID card from the state health department which will first require a doctor's recommendation.
FULL LIST OF PERMIT WINNERS:
-Prime Wellness of Pennsylvania LLC, Sinking Spring, Berks County.
-Franklin Labs LLC, Reading, Berks County.
-Pennsylvania Medical Solutions LLC, Scranton, Lackawanna County.
-Standard Farms LLC, White Haven, Luzerne County.
-Ilera Healthcare LLC, Waterfall, Fulton County.
-AES Compassionate Care LLC, Chambersburg, Franklin County.
-Terrapin Investment Fund 1 LLC, Jersey Shore, Clinton County.
-GTI Pennsylvania LLC, Danville, Montour County.
-AGRiMED Industries of PA LLC, Carmichaels, Greene County.
-PurePenn LLC, McKeesport, Allegheny County.
-Holistic Farms LLC, New Castle, Lawrence County.
-Cresco Yeltrah LLC, Brookville, Jefferson County.
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(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
