Potential growers see green in medical marijuana licenses

(McAdoo) — Potential medical marijuana growers are already starting to position themselves to get a license in Pennsylvania, even though the state hasn’t released an application yet.

In Schuylkill County, Van Hoekelen Greenhouses in McAdoo has assigned a staff member to work on the issue full-time.

Alex Van Hoekelen says his family’s greenhouses employ about 300 people during peak season, and sees a natural fit with growing medical marijuana.

“We’re really good at growing and production and that’s what this industry’s going to need, so why not translate what we already do well with our company, and create a new company, and do that as well?”

Van Hoekelen says they could add 20-25 jobs if they landed a growing and processing license from the state.

“And we know we’re going to face a lot of competition, and we’re up for that. We have a feeling that our credentials and what we’ve done over the past 30 years will shine through and we’ll be able to show that on the application,” he adds.

Adams Compassion Care in Adams County is hoping to do the same thing.

The business would like to set up a growing and processing facility in a 100-thousand square foot warehouse, and employ at least 30 people.

The state hasn’t set a timeline for a decision on licenses, but regulations for growers and processors are next in line on the to-do list.