Woodward Township grants conditional use for Terrapin dispensary in Dunnstown
From Staff Reports
WOODWARD TOWNSHIP – The Woodward Township Supervisors have signed off on a conditional use permit for Colorado-based medical marijuana producer Terrapin to purchase the former M&T bank building at 209 Woodward Avenue in Dunnstown.
At a conditional use hearing on August 20, township supervisors heard from Terrapin representatives regarding their wishes to refurbish the bank for their first Pennsylvania dispensary.
Peter Marcus, VP of Communications for Terrapin in Boulder, Colorado, spoke at length with township supervisors then to address the public and township concerns.
“Terrapin is one of the first medical and retail cannabis operations in the world being a producer and a retailer,” he stated. “We have been in PA for seven years, and in business for 15 years total operating in five states, but we are solely focused in PA right now,” Peter said. “We provide a wide range of medical cannabis services as both a producer and a retailer.”
“We selected 209 Woodward Avenue because it is the most ideal location for zoning, off of PA-150 with visibility, ample parking, easy access for patients with disabilities, and this area has been deemed an underserved area of the medical cannabis program by the state Department of Health,” Peter said.
The conditions outlined by township supervisors include: the dispensary will only operate as a medical marijuana facility (not recreational if that were to be legal in the future), all signage would not contain the words “marijuana,” “cannabis,” or similar terms, and that Terrapin would ensure that security is to a level required currently even if the medical marijuana act lessens.
At the time of the hearing in August, public concern was expressed in the form of the proximity to Fulmer’s Personal Care Home, increased traffic and the absence of a crosswalk for care home residents to cross to the popular cafe The Second Cup, and security concerns.
Prior to the conditional use hearing, Terrapin had received letters of support for what they do from the Clinton County Economic Partnership, VetForce, AJ Foundation, and Horses of Hope. They have also heard from local organizations the Keystone Central Foundation, local business owner Jen Coleman who owns Haven Spa, and the New Love Center food pantry.
In their August closing statement, Peter Marcus, speaking for Terrapin, said that they are sympathetic to the crosswalk situation for Fulmer’s Personal Care Home and their residents, and “would be more than happy to speak with lawmakers in Harrisburg about getting something done about it.”
They also added that if the conditional use is granted, they would be hiring local builders, employees, and that this location “is a perfect location for our needs, and gives us the potential to serve more patients and continue what we do with trust and honor.”
Currently, Terrapin operates nine dispensaries between Colorado and Missouri.
