Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Avella — More than two months ahead of the deadline for would-be growers and dispensers of medical marijuana to seek permission from state officials, Hopewell has adopted local zoning rules for any such outfits that eventually set up shop in the township.
Supervisors amended the local zoning ordinance following a public hearing Monday. Officials began working on the zoning changes after a Colorado-based group approached them about possibly opening a grower/processor there.
The state medical marijuana law, enacted in April, allows Pennsylvanians with certain serious medical conditions to obtain the drug with a physician's recommendation. The new rules in Hopewell Township allow academic clinical research centers, vehicle delivery services that transport marijuana plants and seeds, and grower/processors to open in the industrial, agricultural and business districts. Dispensaries will be allowed only in the business district.
Among those present was Holden Farahani, a founding member of Sirona Cultivated, a Boulder-based group that is considering opening a grower/processor on property in the township. The group hasn't submitted plans to the township, but Farahani said it's identified property in the township as a prospective location and could submit one "relatively quickly."
"We as supervisors want everybody to understand that we understand there's a stigma that goes with this plan, but this is not a marijuana farm," Supervisor Brian Hammett said of Sirona's proposed operation. "This is a farm that produces medicine that's going to be highly regulated by us and the state."
Any medical marijuana facilities that open in the township would be required to get a conditional use permit, which allows supervisors to review and decide whether or not to approve business plans.
The planning commission had recommended approving the township's ordinance Dec. 23.
About 10 audience members sat through the roughly 20-minute hearing, staying for the supervisors' regular meeting. None opposed passage of the ordinance.
Hershey attorney Christine Brann, who represents Sirona, attended the meeting via phone.
Farahani, 44, a former restaurateur from the State College area, told supervisors he moved with his family to Colorado to learn about the medical cannabis industry.
"We're there because I want to learn it from the inside out, I want to know what's right and what's wrong and how to bring back the best medicine we can to Pennsylvania," he said.
Farahani declined to discuss details of his business plan before filing the state application.
The state Department of Health plans to issue 27 dispensary and 12 grower/processor permits statewide and will accept applications from Feb. 20 to March 20.
Solicitor Gary Sweat explained the new state law means such facilities are considered land uses. If a legal land use is excluded from local zoning rules, Sweat said the exclusionary rule would apply, "and an applicant or a property owner can put that use anywhere in the township without any conditions or restrictions" from township supervisors.
Sweat said Farahani had encouraged the township to adopt the ordinance, "which is the smart thing to do. That way, the public knows exactly what's going on and we can spend some time identifying the different uses and also the reasonable conditions that need to be included."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Hopewell Township Prepares For Marijuana Industry With Zoning Vote
Author: Gideon Bradshaw
Contact: 724.222.2200
Photo Credit: Gideon Bradshaw
Website: Observer-Reporter
Supervisors amended the local zoning ordinance following a public hearing Monday. Officials began working on the zoning changes after a Colorado-based group approached them about possibly opening a grower/processor there.
The state medical marijuana law, enacted in April, allows Pennsylvanians with certain serious medical conditions to obtain the drug with a physician's recommendation. The new rules in Hopewell Township allow academic clinical research centers, vehicle delivery services that transport marijuana plants and seeds, and grower/processors to open in the industrial, agricultural and business districts. Dispensaries will be allowed only in the business district.
Among those present was Holden Farahani, a founding member of Sirona Cultivated, a Boulder-based group that is considering opening a grower/processor on property in the township. The group hasn't submitted plans to the township, but Farahani said it's identified property in the township as a prospective location and could submit one "relatively quickly."
"We as supervisors want everybody to understand that we understand there's a stigma that goes with this plan, but this is not a marijuana farm," Supervisor Brian Hammett said of Sirona's proposed operation. "This is a farm that produces medicine that's going to be highly regulated by us and the state."
Any medical marijuana facilities that open in the township would be required to get a conditional use permit, which allows supervisors to review and decide whether or not to approve business plans.
The planning commission had recommended approving the township's ordinance Dec. 23.
About 10 audience members sat through the roughly 20-minute hearing, staying for the supervisors' regular meeting. None opposed passage of the ordinance.
Hershey attorney Christine Brann, who represents Sirona, attended the meeting via phone.
Farahani, 44, a former restaurateur from the State College area, told supervisors he moved with his family to Colorado to learn about the medical cannabis industry.
"We're there because I want to learn it from the inside out, I want to know what's right and what's wrong and how to bring back the best medicine we can to Pennsylvania," he said.
Farahani declined to discuss details of his business plan before filing the state application.
The state Department of Health plans to issue 27 dispensary and 12 grower/processor permits statewide and will accept applications from Feb. 20 to March 20.
Solicitor Gary Sweat explained the new state law means such facilities are considered land uses. If a legal land use is excluded from local zoning rules, Sweat said the exclusionary rule would apply, "and an applicant or a property owner can put that use anywhere in the township without any conditions or restrictions" from township supervisors.
Sweat said Farahani had encouraged the township to adopt the ordinance, "which is the smart thing to do. That way, the public knows exactly what's going on and we can spend some time identifying the different uses and also the reasonable conditions that need to be included."
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Hopewell Township Prepares For Marijuana Industry With Zoning Vote
Author: Gideon Bradshaw
Contact: 724.222.2200
Photo Credit: Gideon Bradshaw
Website: Observer-Reporter
