State Approves Medical Marijuana Dispensary For Bristol Twp.

Within six months, a medical marijuana dispensary could be active in Bristol Township.

According to a press release and documents released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health early Thursday afternoon, Franklin Bioscience – Penn LLC received authorization to set up a medical marijuana dispensary at the Durham Square Shopping Center located at 2412-2414 Durham Road near the intersection with New Falls Road. The shopping center already features a state store and convenience store.

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State guidelines issued previously said each company that was awarded a medical marijuana dispensary permit has six months to become operation. Each company is able to operate up to three storefront shops.

In their application, Franklin Bioscience – Penn LLC noted the Bristol Township location is located near SEPTA bus stops with regular service, retail shopping, eateries, heavy commercial and other local businesses. It also notes the location will have plenty of parking and be accessible by customers with disabilities.

In a copy of its lease, the Bristol Township shopping center stated Franklin Bioscience – Penn LLC would occupy a 2,000-square foot space.

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The company plans to open a second storefront in Reading and has no third location listed.

According to Pennsylvania’s regulations, leafy marijuana material will not be sold at dispensaries, but processed pill, oil or ointment form will be for sale with orders from a doctor.

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Throughout the state, 27 dispensary permits were issued Thursday.

“This has been a highly competitive process and the department received hundreds of quality applications,” said John Collins, director of the Office of Medical Marijuana. “Once this program is fully operational, patients with serious medical conditions will have locations throughout the commonwealth where they can purchase medication to help in their treatment. We remain on track to provide medication to patients in 2018.”

Franklin Bioscience – Penn LLC is connected to Denver-based Franklin Bioscience, a holding company, according to federal filings. The Denver company already has a role in cannabis lifestyles company Lucky Edibles and medically-focused Altus Labs.

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Franklin Bioscience – Penn LLC noted in its 288-page application that it plans to have 7,100 patients by the end of 2018 and 14,300 patients within four years between its two locations. It noted Bristol Township and Reading were picked because of easy of access and more than 75,000 people living within a few miles of the dispensary locations.

The company already has operation plans and a working relationship with local officials. It was noted in the application that Franklin Bioscience – Penn LLC has an “established positive relationship” with Bristol Township police and the fire marshal’s office. In addition, they have hired an experienced former law enforcement member to be a liaison between the company and police.

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As of last week, no marijuana grower/processor licenses were issued for Bucks County, but numerous ones were granted throughout the state, including two approved for Berks County.

Since medical marijuana was approved in Pennsylvania, the state Office of Medical Marijuana received 177 applications for growers/processors and 280 for dispensaries.

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Last year, Pennsylvania became the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana. The law, signed by the governor last April, allows people with 17 medical conditions, including cancer, PTSD and autism, to use medicines derived from marijuana.