BERLIN – In spite of the potential jobs associated with it, the Worcester County Commissioners opted not to endorse a local man’s plan to pursue a medical marijuana license.
The commissioners agreed not to write a letter in support of a Snow Hill businessman’s application for one of the 15 state permits to be issued to grow medical marijuana. Instead, they said they’d work with a local grower if and when one received one of the much sought after permits.
“Certainly any one of the county commissioners could write a letter of support on behalf of themselves,” Commissioner Joe Mitrecic said. “For the county commissioners to get behind any one person … I think would be misguided at this point in time.”
On Tuesday, Merry Mears, the county’s director of economic development, said she received several calls from people interested in setting up medical marijuana facilities in Worcester County. One of them, she said, formally requested a letter of support from the commissioners. She recommended the letter be provided.
“This is something that could be an economic boon to the county,” she said.
Mears said the Town of Snow Hill, where the proposed facility would be located, had provided a letter of support for the application.
“It’s an economically depressed area,” she said. “The town is very supportive.”
Mears said the state’s licensing process would be competitive as there were only 15 licenses available.
“Different counties are vying to have these establishments in their area simply because jobs in these facilities are paying above-average wage,” she said.
Commissioner Bud Church said he’d been contacted by the individual seeking the county’s endorsement. He said they’d already hired an expert in the medical marijuana field to guide them through the process, had visited Colorado and were working with a security expert. He said he’d spent more than $100,000 on the effort already.
“He’s trying to bring 30 to 50 above-average jobs to the area,” Church said. “I just want to get that message out there for people who may have an interest in supporting him.”
Commissioner Jim Bunting said he agreed with Mitrecic that it wasn’t appropriate for the county to support a specific application.
Snow Hill Mayor Charlie Dorman said the town had indeed offered its support to the man pursuing a license.
“We need jobs,” he said.
Dorman said the town would host an informational meeting on the topic Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. at All Hallows Episcopal Church in Snow Hill.
