Hopewell could be among first to establish medical marijuana regulations
Hopewell Township supervisors may enact an ordinance as soon as Monday that would set zoning rules for businesses that open up under the state’s new medical marijuana law after being contacted by a group considering establishment of an operation.
It is believed the proposed ordinance, if supervisors approve it, would make Hopewell the first municipality in the region to establish local zoning rules for grower/processors and dispensaries within its borders.
A draft ordinance – based on a model ordinance developed by the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, which serves Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties in Central Pennsylvania – will be the subject of a public hearing at 4:15 p.m. Monday at the township building, 20 Parkview Road.
“We wanted to get something in place,” said township solicitor Michael Cruny. “We know that there’s at least one group that’s interested out there, so we wanted to get something on the books.”
Supervisors could also vote at the meeting on whether to enact the changes, which would require a conditional use application for medical marijuana facilities in the township – a process that includes a public hearing where neighbors and others who may be interested can ask questions and learn more about applicants’ plans.
The process also allows township supervisors to place additional conditions on their approval of plans.
“We’ve found it’s better to have the public get information ahead of time as opposed to the building going up, and then people are wondering what’s going on there,” Cruny said.
Cruny said township officials consulted their attorneys after a group called Sirona Cultivated, which he said is considering setting up a growing/processing plant in the area, contacted the township with questions about local zoning rules. The township’s current regulations include no provisions for medical marijuana.
Holden Farahani, a founding member of the group, wasn’t available for an interview Thursday.
Cruny said members of Sirona “have been up front with the township,” but “there’s no guarantee it could be this group that gets one of (the state) permits” so township officials would be prudent to formalize rules early on.
Cruny said the industry is already “heavily regulated” by the state, and the rules the township can set for that type of facility are limited to issues like location, buffers and ingress and egress.
Those hoping to set up shop under the state medical marijuana law passed in April must first get permission from the state Health Department, which plans to initially issue permits for no more than 27 dispensaries and 12 grower/processors throughout the state. The agency will accept applications from Feb. 20 to March 20. Those who are selected as grower/processors must pay a $200,000 fee and show proof of $2 million in capital. Those selected for a dispensary permit must pay a $30,000 fee and have proof of $150,000 in capital.