Terrapin Pennsylvania Bullish on the Future

LOCK HAVEN – Terrapin Pennsylvania chief executive officer Chris Woods offered an upbeat assessment on a Thursday visit to Clinton County. Terrapin began production of medical marijuana in South Avis with a staff of 10 in late 2017 and currently employs better than 50 workers.

Woods, a Pennsylvania native now residing in Colorado, said the Clinton County project carried a price tag of $6.5 million and, “We put our money where our mouth is.” He said Terrapin has leased 150,000 square feet at its Harris St., South Avis facility and currently utilizes 45,000 square feet, allowing for future expansion. He said the past year has been spent in maximizing operations there.

“We couldn’t ask for a better reception anywhere,” than that received in Clinton County, Woods said. The Terrapin product is sold at dispensaries across the state and Woods said at this point the demand is greater than the supply, noting there will be another round of state-approved dispensaries coming soon (nearest dispensaries to Clinton County are in Williamsport and State College). He said the state estimates the number of medical marijuana patients in Pennsylvania has grown to 130,000 and that Terrapin has become a recognized brand, the company now producing 30 varieties of legal cannabis.

The Thursday update came at Veterans Park across from the Clinton County Courthouse in Lock Haven. Terrapin Pennsylvania has pledged $25,000 towards a park refurbishment, half of that already provided. Dave Harger from VetForce, a newly established veterans-based security firm, said design work for park improvements is underway. Harger described the park upgrade as a “modernization,” noting some of the structures there are showing their age.

Harger’s Vet Force operation also provides security for Terrapin and employs 15 full and part-time staff members, 70 percent of that number veterans.