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Conditional use for Terrapin approved

LOCKPORT — The Woodward Township Board of Supervisors made the decision to allow Terrapin to open a medical marijuana dispensary in the municipality.

Terrapin is an Avis-based grower/processor of medical cannabis that was founded in Boulder, Colo. in 2009, and whose founder and CEO, Chris Woods, grew up in Bucks County. Woods’ dream, according to the Terrapin website, was to bring cannabis reform and operations to his home state.

In 2017, Terrapin was awarded one of the first 12 licenses provided to grower/processors in the Commonwealth’s medical cannabis program and quickly became a Pennsylvania-focused company. They have shed operations in other states, but focus primarily on embracing Pennsylvania as their home and center of operations. Though Terrapin operates nine facilities, this would be their first in Pennsylvania due to a recent change in legislation.

At their Avis facility, Terrapin employs around 135 workers and has a commitment to community engagement.

In previous months, supervisors heard from numerous parties regarding the potential of the dispensary to be located at a vacant bank located at 209 Woodward Ave., Lock Haven.

From Terrapin officials to concerned residents, many came to offer either their support or their disapproval for the project. Numerous businesses and individuals who have worked with Terrapin during their time in Avis also wrote in letters expressing their support for the project.

One letter was from the late Mike Flanagan, a Woodward Township resident and former CEO of the Clinton County Economic Partnership. Flanagan had been apprehensive of Terrapin’s operations in the community, but over years of working with them he heralded the business as an industry leader and responsible corporate partner.

The conditional use hearing was held on Aug. 20, and the supervisors had 45 days to render a written response to Terrapin regarding this conditional use.

Concerns were raised during this hearing about numerous topics from nearby neighbors and other concerned residents.

One issue brought up during the meeting was police presence around the facility, and the possibility of break-ins.

State regulations ensure security for this facility would be more rigid than your typical pharmacy — including a heavy security presence and 24/7 monitoring. Many feared with a facility like this nearby, there would be increased crime in the area which would stretch the already small police force in Woodward Township even thinner.

Terrapin utilizes VetForce Security, Inc., a Lock Haven-founded company that employs mostly veterans. VetForce will allow Terrapin to have extensive video surveillance, as well as an armed security guard on site daily. Their security system will include alarms, cameras and more to deter crime.

Concerns were also raised about the products in the facility being used for recreational purposes.

Though Terrapin cannot control what is being done with the product after it goes to a consumer’s home, they can put measures in place at the facility to dissuade resellers.

The products offered at the dispensary are intended as medical use only — no pre-rolled joints or edibles allowed. There will only be cannabis for medical use in the form of concentrates, lozenges, salves, creams, oil and flowers. There will also be a limited number of approved and state regulated accessories.

At this time, cannabis is not legalized for recreational use in the commonwealth. Even if it were to be legalized for personal use, Terrapin would have to return to the board for permission for recreational sales.

Another concern was about the building itself — the signage in particular. The supervisors were assured by Terrapin representatives the facility would have a sleek, unassuming design as opposed to the “smoke shop” aesthetic some residents might picture. The signage would not include any reference to marijuana, and instead would be akin to a pharmaceutical design.

As a part of this conditional approval, the supervisors will be holding Terrapin to their promises made about the previous concerns.

Township Solicitor R. Thompson Rosamilia read out the expectations put in place with the approval.

“It was approved with some conditions, those conditions were essentially to keep some of the promises made during the hearing. They can only operate it as a medical marijuana facility. If recreation marijuana is approved at some point they’d have to come back for reapproval. The signage (can) not contain any of the terms marijuana, cannabis or similar terms… Lastly, they ensure that security is to the level that is required currently even if the medical marijuana act does lessen at some point,” said Rosamilia.

The application was unanimously approved and signed on Sept. 23, 2024.

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