Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program became law back in April 2016, yet sales of the drug only began last month, on February 15th. In the nearly two years between, state officials built the regulatory framework for the new industry and certified patients, caregivers and dispensaries. But less than a month after dispensaries opened their doors, major changes to the program are already under consideration. While the law currently prohibits the sale of dry herbaceous cannabis, smokable medical marijuana could come to Pennsylvania as soon as this summer.
Smokable Medical Marijuana Could Come To Pennsylvania
On Monday, Gov. Tom Wolfe’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board gathered in Harrisburg to discuss changes to the state’s program that would allow dispensaries to sell dried flower.
The governor’s Advisory Board consists of three separate committees. And according to Philly.com, all three of the committees are behind the move to approve sales of dry leaf and flower.
Luke Schultz, one of the patient advocates on the Advisory Board, said the group “all came back with a positive recommendation”.
The next step is an official review of the Board’s recommendations. The review is scheduled for April 9.
A report will ultimately land on the desk of Secretary of Health Rachel Levine. After that, the recommendations will receive an up or down vote in the legislature.
So while the full timeline of the process is still TBD, there’s still a good chance smokable medical marijuana could come to Pennsylvania.
Under current PA law, dispensaries cannot sell smokable forms of marijuana. Lawmakers added the restriction to the legislation based on the well-documented dangers of smoking tobacco.
Some studies have shown that smoking marijuana is less harmful than smoking tobacco. However, smoking still