While the rollout of a medical cannabis program in the state of Alabama may be far behind schedule, one operation dedicated to the advanced testing of both medical marijuana and hemp is coming to Foley in Baldwin County.

Green Health Laboratories expects the new facility to create up to 50 high-paying jobs over the next three years and represent approximately $3.4 million in capital investment for the city. It will be one of the exclusive testing facilities in the State of Alabama for the Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission. 

“This project is a collaboration between the City of Foley and the Baldwin County Economic Development  Alliance (BCEDA) and is a direct result of the creation of the health and wellness zone in north Foley,” said Mayor Ralph Hellmich. “Our efforts are focused on bringing medical services and technologies to our citizens and our area. Green Health Laboratories is a perfect example of the high-tech industries we want to see in Foley. I welcome them and any others to our City.”

Brandon Biles,  President, and Natalie Siracusa, Lab Director, of Green Health Laboratories are excited about expanding the company’s operations.

“We are proud to have the opportunity to serve the consumer community and the state of Alabama in their journey towards sophistication and public safety within the realm of cannabis,” said Biles and Siracusa. “We are committed to helping  build a safe and reliable industry that consumers and producers alike are proud of and can sincerely trust.” 

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Lee Johnson, Executive Vice President of BCEDA,  explained that the new lab will be part of the Foley Health and Wellness Village.

“We started this journey over 18 months ago, working with the City of Foley on a medical zoning overlay district concept that is now called the Foley Health and Wellness Village to encourage more medical services and related projects in the area,” Johnson said. “This strategy has helped us recruit economic development project opportunities like Green Health Laboratories in other parts of the city, and we expect more momentum in this target industry sector in 2025 and  beyond.” 

The facility will be located in an existing building on Section Avenue in Foley and will begin operations in the first quarter of 2025. Green Health Laboratories is offering starting salaries above the average wage in Baldwin County, with an estimated payroll of over $5 million.  

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten