BELLEFONTE — Terrapin, an independent grower/processor of medical marijuana, has announced the grand opening of its first Pennsylvania dispensary in Bellefonte.

The grand opening and ribbon cutting celebration for Terrapin Care Station will take place on Thursday, Jan. 9, at 205 Park Place, Bellefonte, beginning at 11 a.m.

The grand opening event comes a year after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed legislation (Act 63) allowing qualified independent medical marijuana operators to open up to three dispensaries.

Terrapin, one of the state’s oldest grower/processors, is the first to take advantage of the new law.

The dispensary will begin serving patients on Monday, Jan. 6, with a soft launch in advance of the Jan. 9 grand opening event. Terrapin’s Bellefonte store hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

The Jan. 9 grand opening will feature short remarks from Terrapin, with recognition of the Bellefonte Chamber and community leaders, followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

As part of the program, Terrapin will support FaithCentre Food Bank, its nonprofit partner for the Bellefonte location, by organizing a canned food drive.

Patients who donate canned food items will receive a special gift bag of Terrapin merchandise (while supplies last).

Terrapin employees also participated in a Toys for Tots donation event on Dec. 16, assisting FaithCentre with bagging selected holiday gifts for registered clients of the nonprofit.

Bellefonte is the first of three locations the company plans to open in the coming months. Two additional locations are planned for Lewisburg (Kelly Township) and Lock Haven (Woodward Township), with opening dates and times to be announced in the coming weeks.

Terrapin will hire approximately 43 employees between the three locations, adding to economic development in rural parts of the state.

Through these three locations, Terrapin aims to meet the needs of underserved regions of the medical cannabis program.

According to a release from Terrapin, the Department of Health has identified Clinton County as an underserved area, with the closest dispensaries located more than 45 miles away.

Bellefonte and Lewisburg will also provide better options for patients who currently have to drive more than 30 miles in some areas to access critical medicine, the release said.

“It is an honor to live out the mission of Terrapin by establishing roots in underserved communities,” says Chris Woods, founder and CEO of Terrapin. “We are committed to being a true community partner who plays an active and engaged role in helping all individuals live the best quality of life. We are thrilled to open our doors in Bellefonte and to get to know and serve our neighbors.”

Terrapin’s dispensaries will be the first to open in the region in over three years for the Lock Haven area, and over two years for the Bellefonte area. Apart from one dispensary opening in April 2024, 12 miles from Lewisburg, that region has not seen a new dispensary in over five years, the release said.

“Bellefonte is fortunate to have Terrapin join our local business community. We look forward to working collaboratively for the benefit of our residents, visitors and fellow businesses,” adds Ralph Stewart, Bellefonte Borough Manager.

The first 150 patients to visit the dispensary will receive a special T-shirt commemorating the dispensary opening.

Additionally, all patients will receive a 30 percent discount during the grand opening from Thursday, Jan. 9, to Saturday, Jan. 11.