Dr. Frank Polidora said marijuana merits a place in the medicine cabinet, but he and other supervisors are unsure where to place a marijuana processing business in Butler Township.
To me medical marijuana does have its place, especially in chronic pain relief, the retired orthopedic surgeon said during a supervisors work session on Monday.
While state law spells out 16 medical conditions for which doctors may prescribe marijuana, local government officials have the choice of where to locate marijuana growing and processing facilities.
Polidora likens the processors to pharmaceutical or chemical companies because of the solvents they use.
He thinks the facilities belong only in land zoned for industries and mines.
Supervisor Charles Altmiller, a retired township police chief, also would allow marijuana growing and processing in areas zoned for light industry, such as CAN DO Corporate Center, the townships business park.
If theres jobs available, I would like to make it so were friendly toward manufacturing and production, Altmiller said.
Supervisor Brian Kisenwether, who arrived toward the end of the discussion, didnt publicly state his viewpoint, but it could come to light today if the supervisors vote to advertise a medical marijuana ordinance at their regular meeting at 6 p.m..
Solicitor Donald Karpowich said the supervisors discussion probably is just theoretical. Anyone applying to grow and process medical marijuana by the states deadline of March 20 already would have designated land for the facility, and no one from Butler Township has discussed plans to apply.
Supervisors, however, did raise several points that have relevance around Pennsylvania, where the Department of Health intends to award 12 applicants permission to grow and process medical marijuana.
The van Hoekelen family plans to apply to grow marijuana in Kline Township, Schuylkill County, where it has raised flowers and plants in commercial greenhouses for nearly 30 years. Entrepreneurs in Luzerne County also might seek permits, which cost $10,000 to apply for, while other municipalities, such as Hazleton and Hazle Township, have considered how to regulate medical marijuana facilities.
Processors commonly soak marijuana plants in butane, propane or ethanol potentially dangerous solvents.
The chemical solvents create fumes that are highly flammable and can lead to explosions and fire that are similar to the extremely dangerous methamphetamine labs that have long plagued police and firefighters, notes a guide prepared for law enforcement by the Police Foundation in Washington, D.C., and the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police.
Joe Cantalini, a chemist at Organa Labs, one of the largest marijuana producers in Colorado, said in an email that accidents have occurred, primarily in situations without common-sense safety precautions by persons without property training in unregulated, black-market operations.
Colorado requires professional engineers or certified industrial hygienists to review processes and equipment, but prohibits facilities in residential settings, Cantalini said.
Pennsylvania law prohibits the sale of marijuana leaves as medicine, so growers must process the leaves into oils, waxes, tinctures, pills, creams or liquids. The state also regulates the transport and disposal of waste material from the plants.
In Butler Township, a draft ordinance limits waste disposal and trucking facilities for medical marijuana to light industrial or industrial and mining zones. Operators would need a special exception from the zoning board.
Polidora would like to prevent facilities from accepting marijuana waste from outside Butler Township, but Karpowich said that might violate the constitutional provision that lets the federal government set rules for interstate commerce.
Butler Townships proposed ordinance also says dispensaries that will sell medical marijuana only can open in neighborhood commercial zones with special exceptions from the zoning board, or in general commercial zones.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Butler Twp. Supers Could Move On Medical Marijuana Ordinance
Author: Kent Jackson
Contact: 1-570-455-3636
Photo Credit: Timothy Norris
Website: Standard Speaker
