While lawmakers debate its legalization, a Monessen woman said her company hopes to bring the medical marijuana industry to Monessen.
Tiffany A. Harrison addressed council during a work session Monday, asking city officials to write letters of support for The Right Way to Go Inc. She presented council with copies of a Monessen Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization and Economic Development Plan.
Harrison said the start-up company is proposing to grow and distribute health organic produce as well as “alternative medicines (cannabis) treatment options for patients inflicted with terminal and painful illnesses.”
Harrison said organic produce is a $49 billion-a-year industry.
She said the organization would use a portion of the profits to help the city with demolition of blighted properties.
Harrison claims medical marijuana has been positively tested for treatment of patients with such illnesses as Alzheimer's disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV and AIDS.
She added that medical marijuana stands to bring in $330 million to $700 million in enue statewide.
Harrison said The Right Way to Go Inc. plans to seek grants from various foundations and endowments.
“We have submitted a grant to begin an organic produce grow-op,” Harrison said in the executive summary of the economic development plan she presented to council.
“We would like this to benefit primarily the Mon Valley area, but if farming is not allowed, we are willing to purchase a farm within the surrounding locale to make the project work.”
Harrison said her organization is eyeing the city's riverfront.
The Pennsylvania Senate approved a medical marijuana bill May 12, but the House has yet to act on the bill. A legalization rally is planned today in Harrisburg with a bipartisan group of lawmakers and seriously ill patients.
Harrison said a copy of the economic development plan has been sent to Gov. Tom Wolf, pending the legislature's action.
Monessen Mayor Lou Mavrakis predicted the legislature will act within two months.
Councilman Josh Retos said the legalization of marijuana, even for medical treatment, could create a huge economic stimulus.
“I've gone to Colorado and California. They don't know what to do with the money,” Retos said of two states where medical marijuana is legal.
Chris Buckley is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at cbuckley@tribweb.com or 724-684-2642.
