BROOKVILLE -- A licensed grower and processor of medical marijuana in Jefferson County is the first with state approval to begin operating.
Gov. Tom Wolf Tuesday approved Chicago-based Cresco Yeltrah to begin growing and processing medical marijuana at its Brookville location.
The facility is the first to be deemed fully operational in Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program.
Permits were issued in June, when the 12 winners were selected from among 177 applicants.
Cresco Yeltrah officials said in a release Tuesday that construction began on converting the 40,000-plus square foot facility almost immediately after they received their permit. While the overall facility will be constructed and equipped in phases, the state has signed off on the company’s secure growing environment being fully operational so the cultivation process can begin.
With a controlled cultivation environment, officials with the company said a full grow cycle takes approximately 120 days, which will allow for their complete line of products to be available for patients statewide in February 2018.
Cresco Yeltrah will grow a variety of over 30 different genetic strains in Brookville and will produce a unique array of innovative pharmaceutical-grade marijuana products, ranging from high CBD strains, vapor oils, transdermal patches and pills.
Cresco Yeltrah said a distinctive line of products ensures patients will receive consistent, repeatable, precision-dosed medicine – as the program does not allow for the sale of raw marijuana flower. Their scientifically developed products utilize all beneficial properties of the marijuana plant, including methods of relief without the typical “high” or euphoric feeling the plant is known for.
"Every day, we hear from patients who are desperately waiting for medical marijuana to help alleviate the symptoms of their serious medical conditions," Wolf said in a release. "My message to them today is that Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program is moving forward and we will have medication to them sometime in 2018. Cresco Yeltrah will now be able to grow medical marijuana, making sure that patients will not have to wait much longer."
In order to become operational, Cresco Yeltrah said it underwent several inspections from the Department of Health. It also is fully integrated with the seed-to-sale tracking system.
Cresco Yeltrah will now be able to begin accepting seeds and clones to grow medical marijuana.
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