Irwin OKs medical marijuana dispensary

Medical marijuana users may be able to get state-approved products from a dispensary along Route 30 in Irwin in late fall.

The three-member zoning board on Thursday unanimously approved an application from Franklin BioScience-SW LLC of Philadelphia for a special exception to locate the dispensary at the site of the former Pediatric Associates of Westmoreland office at 9337 Route 30.

The board also granted Franklin BioScience a variance to use the building in the commercial highway zone where the property border is less than 200 feet from an adjoining residential structure.

Franklin BioScience must get final approval from the state Department of Health, hire employees and renovate the building to conform to the needs of a medical marijuana dispensary before it can open, said Justin Carey, director of corporate development for Franklin BioScience. The company operates seven dispensaries in the state, including one in Johnstown.

The board initially rejected the application in a 2-1 vote, with Tim Watson and Cheryl Dufford opposing it, while Debbie Kelly voted to grant the request.

“I’m not happy with marijuana and I don’t want it in Irwin,” Dufford said, explaining her opposition.

Attorney Daniel Hewitt, representing Franklin BioScience, wanted Dufford recused from the proceeding because of her prejudice against medical marijuana, which he pointed out the state has permitted since 2016.

The board, after hearing from its solicitor, voted on the proposal again, passing it.

Irwin was selected for the company’s new site because it is about 30 minutes from existing medical marijuana dispensaries in Greensburg and Monroeville and further south in Washington, Carey said. Westmoreland County also has medical marijuana dispensaries in Unity and New Kensington.

“There’s a real large vacuum,” in the area for people to buy medical marijuana, Carey said.

It is often difficult to find sites that are not close to a day care center, are in the proper area for zoning purposes, have good access for clients and have ample parking, Carey said.

“It is not every landlord that is willing to lease” to a medical marijuana dispensary, and those carrying a mortgage with a federal financial institution are not permitted to lease to a marijuana dispensary, Carey said.

Patients suffering from any of 23 conditions, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and epilepsy, can get a physician to certify they can benefit from medical marijuana. The product, which Franklin BioScience buys from a vendor, comes in the form of vapor, pill, a gel or cream, liquid, oil and dry leaf that is vaporized, Carey said.

The facility will be open seven days a week and must have security while it is operating. The state requires numerous security cameras, Carey said.

When questioned about someone illegally reselling the product, Carey said that is not likely to happen.

“They (recreational marijuana smokers) can get it a lot cheaper … at street prices,” Carey said.

If the dispensary sees 20 to 25 patients an hour, that would be considered a good flow of customers, Carey said. Most of the customers will pay cash for the product.

Attorney George Butler, zoning board solicitor, got a laugh from those at the hearing when he said cash transactions are typical of the marijuana business, but quickly added he was not speaking from any personal experience.