December 7th, 2022 by WCBC Radio

As Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade presided over his final meeting last week, he reflected on some of the successes of the past eight years- and near the top of the list: nurturing a successful medical cannabis industry. Becoming a major player in the growing marijuana field may have seemed unlikely a few years ago for one of the most conservative areas of the state- but it has proven to be a near perfect match. Grow West MD, located in the former Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. on Kelly Road, opened in 2017. Later that year,  the Allegany Medical Marijuana Dispensary on Beall Street opened. Both have done brisk business. Shade says the county’s decision to embrace the trends and take a chance have proven a worthwhile investment…