Medical marijuana dispensary opens in former Kings spot in Harmar

A medical marijuana dispensary has made its way to a bustling food plaza in Harmar along Freeport Road.

Ethos Cannabis, a Philadelphia-based firm, opened a third regional location in the former Kings Restaurant building on 5 Alpha Drive East in late April, according to a news release. Ethos also has locations in North Fayette and Pleasant Hills. This marks the sixth location for Ethos in the state.

The firm also has locations in Massachusetts, Maryland and Ohio.

“We are extremely excited to be in the Harmarville community and very excited about the reception we have received to the patients and guests there,” Ethos COO Ryan Riggs said.

Township Engineer Matt Pitsch said he approved the township zoning permit for the firm in September 2017.

Because the dispensary was moving into a building for which it is a permitted use, the application does not go back before the board for a vote, Pitsch said.

Harmar Supervisor Bob Exler said he might not agree with the use of medical marijuana, but it was a no-brainer to bring another business into the township.

“Our job is to lower taxes or keep them the same,” he said. “It is a good tax base.”

Riggs said the firm was looking for a geographical opportunity similar to the company’s two existing locations in the surrounding Pittsburgh area.

He said Ethos liked the business opportunties in Harmar and was familiar with the operators in the area.

There are customers from Harmar who travel to the other locations, so now they will have a closer option, he said.

A drive-thru is anticipated to be added to the location, and it will be the first time Ethos establishes that service.

“We thought it was a good site to resonate with the other sites,” Riggs said. “It makes a good geographic market for us.”