State nixes permit renewal for Greene Co. medical pot firm

AgriMed, a grower- processor, can appeal decision

The Pennsylvania Department of Health has denied an application to renew a Greene County medical marijuana company’s grower processor permit. The company, AgriMed Industries of PA, has 30 days to appeal the decision.

The department’s move follows its July 1 cease- and- desist order that blocked AgriMed from harvesting, cutting or destroying marijuana plants at its Carmichaels facility after a surprise inspection found what state officials termed “numerous violations.”

Specifically, state officials said AgriMed staff could not produce required records or security footage documenting that the company had destroyed mature marijuana plants.

In a statement Monday, Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program “has been one of the most successful in the country.” But, she added, “Part of the reason for that success is our efforts to hold grower/ processors and dispensaries accountable for meeting their obligations under the law.

“In this case, AgriMed was not able to do that so we have denied its application to renew its permit.”

Without a permit, AgriMed is now required to dispose of any remaining seeds, plants and medical marijuana products under the direct supervision of the department.

Although AgriMed was among the first companies issued a permit to grow and process medical marijuana two years ago, its processing equipment is still not operational and it has yet to ship product to any of the state- permitted medical marijuana dispensaries.