Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana law took effect in May after Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bipartisan bill in April.
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The department intends to issue all temporary regulations by the end of this calendar year, in the following order: Growers and processors, dispensaries, physicians, patients and caregivers, and laboratories. Marijuana products could be sold in pill, oil, vapor, ointment or liquid form.
Health Secretary Karen Murphy announced Wednesday that the agency’s first task is writing temporary regulations that will allow parents and guardians of children under age 18 to receive medical marijuana referrals from states where the plant is legally grown and processed to treat a variety of ailments.
The secretary also plans to put out regulations in July for parents on how to properly bring legal medical marijuana from other states into Pennsylvania. The temporary regulations will explain the medical marijuana program’s operation, including how applications will be submitted, and will be in place for two years from the date they are published.
State Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, the Legislature’s earliest backer of medical marijuana, applauded the Health Department’s work in developing the new regulations.
Some may not be pleased by the delay, but Dr. Murphy said completing the regulations on medical marijuana is a complex process.
Murphy says the goal is a program that offers medical marijuana to patients who are state residents, under a doctor’s care for a serious medical condition, recognized by the law.
But those grower and processor permits come with a big process tag. Anyone interested in going into the budding business will have to pass a federal and state background check, prove that they are of good moral character, and be able to provide security. Applicants also must pay a permit fee of $200,000 which is refundable if the permit is not granted.
“What we are doing is implementing a new industry in Pennsylvania”, said Murphy.
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The department is seeking public input as it develops the regulations, via surveys on its website.
