PharmaCann Inc. drops a bombshell in northeast Pennsylvania with plans to close its main cannabis growing and processing plant near Olyphant. The facility shutdown will lay off 60 workers on May 20, 2026. This lease default comes amid fierce industry battles, leaving families and the local economy reeling.
PharmaCann filed a WARN notice on March 20, 2026, with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. The alert covers the permanent end of operations at 111 Life Science Drive in Scott Township, Lackawanna County.
Workers get 60 days notice as required by law. The plant handles cultivation, processing, and production for medical cannabis.
This site sits in the Scott Technology Park. Local leaders once hailed it as a boost for skilled jobs.
PharmaCann’s Quick Rise in Pennsylvania
The Chicago firm started in 2014 as a top player in medical cannabis. It serves eight states with grow ops, processing, and stores.
PharmaCann bought 18 acres in late 2018 for a 36,000-square-foot facility. Pennsylvania kicked off medical sales that year, and the company jumped in with big plans.
Back then, Greater Scranton Chamber President Bob Durkin praised the move. He called it a fit for the area’s tech focus and local talent.
The plant drew pros in cultivation and science. It aimed to feed Pennsylvania’s growing medical market.
Cash Crunch Sparks Wave of Shutdowns
PharmaCann faces tough times with missed rent on key sites. Landlord Innovative Industrial Properties settled lawsuits in March 2026. The deal forces PharmaCann to hand over properties in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio by late May.
Rent on the PA site alone ran $260,000 a month. Defaults piled up over the past year.
The firm just closed a big grow op in Denver, Colorado. That cut 132 jobs on the same May 20 date.
Here is a quick look at recent PharmaCann cutbacks:
| Location | Jobs Lost | Closure Date |
|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 132 | May 20, 2026 |
| Olyphant, PA | 60 | May 20, 2026 |
| Dwight, IL | 82 | End of 2025 |
Illinois hit first with 82 layoffs last year. Colorado sales to rival Vireo Growth skipped the grow facility.
Local Jobs Vanish as Market Squeezes Growers
Lackawanna County feels the pinch from these 60 lost roles. Olyphant and Scott Township rely on steady factory work.
Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis pulls in $1.8 billion a year from 439,000 patients. Yet growers battle oversupply and low wholesale prices.
Retailers now buy cheap flower from outside. This shift kills big cultivation plants like PharmaCann’s.
State leaders eye recreational sales for 2026. Bills push better rules, but medical rules stay tight.
Experts see consolidation ahead. Smaller ops fold as big ones grab market share.
PharmaCann keeps nine dispensaries open in Pennsylvania. That offers some stability for patients.
Workers now hunt new gigs in a shaky job market. Retraining programs from the state could help.
This PharmaCann facility closure marks a sad turn for a once-hot industry player. Sixty families face big changes as dreams of steady cannabis jobs fade. The broader crunch shows growers must adapt fast or shut down. Pennsylvania’s market booms for patients but squeezes producers hard.
Maria Garcia is an award-winning author who excels in creating engaging cannabis-centric articles that captivate audiences. Her versatile writing style allows her to cover a wide range of topics within the cannabis space, from advocacy and social justice to product reviews and lifestyle features. Maria’s dedication to promoting education and awareness about cannabis shines through in her thoughtfully curated content that resonates with both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
