Pennsylvania greenhouse grower wants to transfer to MMJ

The owner of a greenhouse in Grandview plans to apply to the state for permission to grow medical marijuana.

Allen Wagner of Wagner's Greenhouse hopes to become one of 25 applicants - among as many as 150 - chosen for a grower-processor license.

If chosen, he'll harvest 200 pounds of the plant per week and ship it for processing.

Wagner admitted to supervisors that security would be a concern, and said he'd be willing to meet with township police to review his security plan, while remaining open to their suggestions.

So far, his own security plan includes fencing, exterior lights, cameras, motion detectors coupled with an alarm system, electronically locking doors and security card entry, he said.

His greenhouse complex is zoned agricultural under the grandfather exception, having been continuously in use since 1895, according to Wagner, who bought the complex from the Peterman family, which founded the operation.

Wagner said that he learned growing up that marijuana was "evil" and "made you stupid."

But he's researched the drug recently, and knows individuals, including children, who could benefit from its reputed ability to help with medical problems, including cancer, he said.

"I can't see any reason not to provide it for people who can use it."

He never grew marijuana or even saw it growing - nor did he ever use it - but he's operated the Grandview site for 27 years, been in the greenhouse business 40 years and has grown about 15 million plants overall, so he knows what he's doing, he said.

Read more at The Altoona Mirror