Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The developers of a proposed medical marijuana dispensary in Wilkes-Barre plan to open the facility within a few months after the city Zoning Hearing Board approved a special exception tor the project.
"We are extremely excited to be in the community," said Corey Fitze, a representative of Columbia Care Pennsylvania LLC.
Columbia Care – which Fitze described as "one of the nation's largest cannabis companies" – in June received a state permit to open a dispensary for medicinal marijuana at 765 Kidder St. The company also received a permit to open a dispensary in Scranton.
At a hearing Wednesday, the Wilkes-Barre zoning board granted a special exception for the project, which was required as it is a use not addressed in the city's zoning ordinance.
No one opposed the special exception during the hearing, according to city Zoning Officer William Harris.
Now Columbia Care just needs to obtain building permits and code approvals, according to Fitze.
The dispensary will be ready to open by the end of the year, in time to meet the state-mandated deadline of six months from the date the permits were awarded on June 29, Fitze said.
Columbia Care plans to be a good neighbor, according to Fitze, who lives in Washington, D.C. but grew up in Wyoming County.
"When we come into the community, we become one with the community," said Fitze, who said he has worked with Columbia Care facilities outside of Pennsylvania.
Fitze described medicinal marijuana as "a serious alternative that should be looked at" for people with one of 17 approved diseases or conditions, including cancer, autism, epilepsy and glaucoma.
Medicinal marijuana could help some people who now use opioids to control pain or treat medical problems, Fitze said.
The dispensary will only serve patients who have a prescription from a physician who is authorized to prescribe medicinal marijuana, according to Fitze.
"You are not allowed in the front door unless you have a medical marijuana card," he said.
The facility will dispense pills and ointments, but no plant-based or smokable forms of marijuana, Fitze stressed.
"We're talking about a controlled dose a patient can take for palliative care," he said.
The dispensary will emphasize security, including 24-hour video surveillance, Fitze said.
"We are providing a safe space for our patients," he said. "This is a serious business."
Columbia Care decided to open two dispensaries in Northeast Pennsylvania in part because of the demographics of the area and its communities, Fitze said.
"We believe this is a good market for us to be in," he said.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana facility gets approval in Wilkes-Barre - News - Citizens' Voice
Author: Eric Mark
Contact: Contact - Citizens' Voice
Photo Credit: AMY HERZOG
Website: Wilkes-Barre news, sports, obituaries, and shopping | citizensvoice.com | Citizens' Voice
"We are extremely excited to be in the community," said Corey Fitze, a representative of Columbia Care Pennsylvania LLC.
Columbia Care – which Fitze described as "one of the nation's largest cannabis companies" – in June received a state permit to open a dispensary for medicinal marijuana at 765 Kidder St. The company also received a permit to open a dispensary in Scranton.
At a hearing Wednesday, the Wilkes-Barre zoning board granted a special exception for the project, which was required as it is a use not addressed in the city's zoning ordinance.
No one opposed the special exception during the hearing, according to city Zoning Officer William Harris.
Now Columbia Care just needs to obtain building permits and code approvals, according to Fitze.
The dispensary will be ready to open by the end of the year, in time to meet the state-mandated deadline of six months from the date the permits were awarded on June 29, Fitze said.
Columbia Care plans to be a good neighbor, according to Fitze, who lives in Washington, D.C. but grew up in Wyoming County.
"When we come into the community, we become one with the community," said Fitze, who said he has worked with Columbia Care facilities outside of Pennsylvania.
Fitze described medicinal marijuana as "a serious alternative that should be looked at" for people with one of 17 approved diseases or conditions, including cancer, autism, epilepsy and glaucoma.
Medicinal marijuana could help some people who now use opioids to control pain or treat medical problems, Fitze said.
The dispensary will only serve patients who have a prescription from a physician who is authorized to prescribe medicinal marijuana, according to Fitze.
"You are not allowed in the front door unless you have a medical marijuana card," he said.
The facility will dispense pills and ointments, but no plant-based or smokable forms of marijuana, Fitze stressed.
"We're talking about a controlled dose a patient can take for palliative care," he said.
The dispensary will emphasize security, including 24-hour video surveillance, Fitze said.
"We are providing a safe space for our patients," he said. "This is a serious business."
Columbia Care decided to open two dispensaries in Northeast Pennsylvania in part because of the demographics of the area and its communities, Fitze said.
"We believe this is a good market for us to be in," he said.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Medical marijuana facility gets approval in Wilkes-Barre - News - Citizens' Voice
Author: Eric Mark
Contact: Contact - Citizens' Voice
Photo Credit: AMY HERZOG
Website: Wilkes-Barre news, sports, obituaries, and shopping | citizensvoice.com | Citizens' Voice
