Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
A Philadelphia company has contacted Plumstead with an interest in establishing a marijuana-growing operation in the township.
Township solicitor Jonathan Reiss said the company was scouting properties with an interest in Plumstead's rural residential zoning district.
Speaking to township supervisors at their Tuesday meeting, Reiss said that such a use would likely not be permitted in the rural residential zone.
Reiss said his understanding of the state's legal language on marijuana growing/processing operations is that such uses would be limited to industrial zoning districts.
Reiss said he told the company that and they said they would like to stay in contact with the township. Officials did not give the name of the company, which is a limited liability corporation.
Reiss said there were no formal development talks or a suggestion on the size or scope of the operation.
Being contacted by a company interested in a marijuana growing operation had Plumstead officials questioning how best to deal with such businesses, which will eventually be allowed to open in Pennsylvania following the state's legalization of medical marijuana in April.
"It's a weird duck," said Supervisor Dan Hilferty, because such operations are still illegal under federal law. He said municipalities like Plumstead are caught in the middle of "dealing with this change."
What's more, Hilferty raised concerns that marijuana growing/processing businesses could be an "attractive nuisance" that leads to crime.
"You can have people who want to get on the land, steal the stuff and move on," he said. "Operations like this require more security."
Supervisor Brian Trymbiski was interested to learn if some tax revenue from the operations will be earmarked to support local police. He also wanted to know what ability, if any, municipalities will have to tax marijuana operations in their communities.
"Some revenue is not worth the hassle," Supervisor Frank Froio said.
The supervisors instructed Reiss to monitor what specific regulations the commonwealth issues regarding growing operations and marijuana dispensaries, which the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Tuesday would be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Oct. 29.
The regulations will outline the financial, legal and operational requirements needed by an individual to be considered for a grower/processor permit, as well as where the facilities can be located.
They will also address an electronic tracking system, maintenance of equipment, sanitation and safety, disposal of marijuana and medical marijuana, tax reporting, pesticides, recall of marijuana and insurance requirements.
According to the state, the health department is authorized to issue no more than 25 permits for growers/processors. Only five grower/processors may be issued a dispensary permit.
As part of becoming a legal grower/processor, companies will have to pay an initial nonrefundable fee of $10,000, a permit fee of $200,000 and show proof of $2 million in capital, $500,000 of which must be on deposit in a financial institution.
The state plans to issue no more than 50 permits for dispensaries initially. Each dispensary can have up to three locations, meaning there could be 150 locations spread across the state.
Following legalization in April, the medical marijuana program became effective on May 17.
The implementation of the program is expected to take between 18 and 24 months. Its stated aim is to offer medical marijuana to patients who are residents of Pennsylvania and under a physician's care for the treatment of serious medical conditions.
Serious medical conditions include everything from cancer and HIV, to Crohn's Disease, epilepsy, sickle cell anemia, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and more.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Would-Be Marijuana Grower Eyes Plumstead
Author: Chris Ruvo
Contact: 215-345-3000
Photo Credit: Seth Perlman
Website: The Intelligencer
Township solicitor Jonathan Reiss said the company was scouting properties with an interest in Plumstead's rural residential zoning district.
Speaking to township supervisors at their Tuesday meeting, Reiss said that such a use would likely not be permitted in the rural residential zone.
Reiss said his understanding of the state's legal language on marijuana growing/processing operations is that such uses would be limited to industrial zoning districts.
Reiss said he told the company that and they said they would like to stay in contact with the township. Officials did not give the name of the company, which is a limited liability corporation.
Reiss said there were no formal development talks or a suggestion on the size or scope of the operation.
Being contacted by a company interested in a marijuana growing operation had Plumstead officials questioning how best to deal with such businesses, which will eventually be allowed to open in Pennsylvania following the state's legalization of medical marijuana in April.
"It's a weird duck," said Supervisor Dan Hilferty, because such operations are still illegal under federal law. He said municipalities like Plumstead are caught in the middle of "dealing with this change."
What's more, Hilferty raised concerns that marijuana growing/processing businesses could be an "attractive nuisance" that leads to crime.
"You can have people who want to get on the land, steal the stuff and move on," he said. "Operations like this require more security."
Supervisor Brian Trymbiski was interested to learn if some tax revenue from the operations will be earmarked to support local police. He also wanted to know what ability, if any, municipalities will have to tax marijuana operations in their communities.
"Some revenue is not worth the hassle," Supervisor Frank Froio said.
The supervisors instructed Reiss to monitor what specific regulations the commonwealth issues regarding growing operations and marijuana dispensaries, which the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced Tuesday would be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on Oct. 29.
The regulations will outline the financial, legal and operational requirements needed by an individual to be considered for a grower/processor permit, as well as where the facilities can be located.
They will also address an electronic tracking system, maintenance of equipment, sanitation and safety, disposal of marijuana and medical marijuana, tax reporting, pesticides, recall of marijuana and insurance requirements.
According to the state, the health department is authorized to issue no more than 25 permits for growers/processors. Only five grower/processors may be issued a dispensary permit.
As part of becoming a legal grower/processor, companies will have to pay an initial nonrefundable fee of $10,000, a permit fee of $200,000 and show proof of $2 million in capital, $500,000 of which must be on deposit in a financial institution.
The state plans to issue no more than 50 permits for dispensaries initially. Each dispensary can have up to three locations, meaning there could be 150 locations spread across the state.
Following legalization in April, the medical marijuana program became effective on May 17.
The implementation of the program is expected to take between 18 and 24 months. Its stated aim is to offer medical marijuana to patients who are residents of Pennsylvania and under a physician's care for the treatment of serious medical conditions.
Serious medical conditions include everything from cancer and HIV, to Crohn's Disease, epilepsy, sickle cell anemia, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis and more.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Would-Be Marijuana Grower Eyes Plumstead
Author: Chris Ruvo
Contact: 215-345-3000
Photo Credit: Seth Perlman
Website: The Intelligencer
