Council approves plans for Monroeville's marijuana dispensary

One of three medical marijuana dispensaries operated by The Healing Center will go into a 7,000-square-foot building that will be built near the Monroeville Mall.

The company's plans to replace a building at 130 Mall Circle Drive and begin operation in its new digs by early next year were approved by council at a recent meeting.

Michael Vesley of Murrysville said he purchased the former PNC Bank in 2007 for $875,000. He said he could not comment on his dealings with The Healing Center “until closing.”

The company was one of the 27 in the state awarded permits to dispense medical marijuana by the state Department of Health in June. It will also open dispensaries in Cranberry in Butler County and in Washington County. Two other companies were given permits in Allegheny County and another will open a dispensary in Westmoreland County.

Co-founder of The Healing Center, Chris Kohan, said via email that he chose Monroeville for the proximity to a “large population of patients, as well as the ease of accessibility for patients via public transportation and major highways.”

The company submitted site plans to Monroeville's planning commission in August. It will sell oils, tinctures, topical ointments, pills and accessories, according to its website.

The company held a job fair seeking to fill full- and part-time positions at its three locations recently at the RMU Island Sports Center on Grand Avenue in Neville. Kohan said the company is looking to hire around 20 to 25 customer service employees, nurse practitioners and pharmacists for its three locations combined. Information about the positions was not available on the site, but Kohan said medical professionals are encouraged to apply online or at the job fair for the nurse practitioners and pharmacist positions. Anyone can apply for the customer service positions.

Dillon Carr is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-871-2325, dcarr@tribweb.com or via Twitter @dillonswriting.