Manor Township supervisors Don Palmer, Bob Southworth and Paul Rearick discuss Voelker’s business plan to bring a medical marijuana dispensary to a site along Route 422.

by Jonathan Weaver

Entrepreneurs looking to take advantage of a new opportunity to grow or dispense medical marijuana in Pennsylvania have had their sights on Ford City and one group is now interested in opening a facility in Manor Township.

Cannabis Company of Pennsylvania Founder Jake Voelker, of Aspinwall, spoke before Manor Township supervisors last night asking for their support to his company’s application to become a medical cannabis dispensary.

“By the numbers, Armstrong County has one of the highest ratios of cancer,” Voelker said. “Once we found that information out, Armstrong County became very key to us to find a location in.”

The facility would open and dispense in the form of liquid, pill or vapor at a former used car building at the corner of State Route 422 and Gladys Road.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, Voelker – a Duquesne University graduate - has also looked to establish business locations in Lawrenceville and in Fayette County

“This is a brand new program – the State has given us the ability to do some really great things for patients,” Voelker said. “Access to rural populations is really important to us.”

If approved, Voelker pledged that his business would focus on hiring military veterans, be a Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and partner with Township Police Chief Eric Petrosky and local police officers.

“At the end of the day, I don’t have to (approach township supervisors), but I want to put my best foot forward. It’s important to me for my application to have (their) support,” Voelker said.

“Applying for these licenses are highly-competitive. To even be as far along as I am, I’m honored.”

Township Supervisor Don Palmer and Chair Paul Rearick look to get more information from Voelker before possible approval is made.

“Personally, I’m not going to make a decision yet – there are a lot of unanswered questions. This is something new, Rearick said.

“I support legitimate business coming into Manor Township, but we just have to see where this goes.”

Palmer views the company as a possible opportunity.

“I think if we don’t at least entertain the idea of bringing it in, we’re going to miss an opportunity. It’s already gone in all around us,” Palmer said.

Cannabis Company of Pennsylvania is the second company of its kind who has asked Manor Township supervisors for a letter of support.

According to the state Department of Health, possible dispensaries will also have to show complete a two-hour training course, show proof of $150,000 in capital and issue the $30,000 permit fee with the $5,000 permit application.

“I’m extremely-positive that we’re going to be able to meet those requirements,” Voelker said.

Applications are due by March 20.