Medicinal marijuana company buys building in Hebron

CannaMed Pharmaceuticals, a company that plans to grow medicinal marijuana and research its benefits, purchased the former MaTech building in Hebron, Md. last week. A move that drew initial skepticism from the real estate company that oversaw the deal.

John McClellan, of the SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate, said before learning more about CannaMed, he was unsure about bringing a medicinal marijuana company to Wicomico County.

“I think you hear medical marijuana, you think that’s just legalized recreational marijuana,” McClellan said. “(But) it’s not just an excuse to smoke marijuana, it’s actually a prescriptive medicine that I think can help people.”

Before they actually grow anything, CannaMed must still wait and see if they are one of the applicants approved by the state this summer for a growers license. Over 100 companies have applied for the license, but the state has said they will approve no more than 15 licenses. Angeline Nanni, CEO for CannaMed, said that her company decided to be proactive in purchasing the Hebron facility, so that everything can be in place if, and when, they are approved to start growing.

As part of their design, CannaMed will split the 47,000 sq. ft. facility into two sections, 30,000 sq. ft. for growing, and then 6,000 sq. ft. for research. Nanni said their plan is to partner with higher learning institutions in the area such as Salisbury University and University of Maryland of Eastern Shore. Nanni adds they’ve already had talks with Wor-Wic community college.

Nanni also said that CannaMed will provide a boost to Wicomico County’s economy.

“In addition to bringing revenue in from all of our operations and manufacturing capabilities the employment can reach anywhere from 70 to 100 (jobs) and these are highly skilled trained jobs,” Nanni said.

Nanni said they will train people if needed for the positions.

However, not all are happy about CannaMed’s planned arrival.

One Hebron resident 47 ABC spoke to, who asked not to be identified, strongly opposed CannaMed coming to Hebron.

“I would not agree at all,” she said. “It shouldn’t be (here) at all, especially Hebron, it shouldn’t be. That’s all they do here, you can tell where I work all the kids come smelling like marijuana.”

Nanni said she knows people have reservations, but said she hopes CannaMed’s planned community outreach and education events will help dispel any fears the community has about them.

She adds that the planned security for the facility will make it extremely difficult for someone to steal marijuana from the facility.

Nanni said there will be security staff on duty and that some cameras and fences are already in place.

McClellan said employees will also be inspected on the way in and out of the facility in a special room.

“I almost call it a shakedown room. Where when the employees come to work they don’t just walk on the floor they go in the locker room and they put on a special work (suit), almost like a jumpsuit that has no pockets,” McClellan said.

Growing marijuana, even medicinally, is still illegal at the federal level. However, Nanni said that as long they follow state regulations, her impression is that the federal government will not interfere with their planned operation.

Nanni said construction on the facility is scheduled to start this month, and that zoning permits have already been acquired through Wicomico County.