Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program is dominated by companies that cut their teeth in the business in other states before gaining a foothold in Pennsylvania.
Act 16 of 2016, which legalized the use of medical cannabis, set a high financial bar for growers and processors.
“It took financial resources to participate,” said Dr. Rachel Levine, Pennsylvania Health Secretary.
Would-be growers had to pay a $10,000 nonrefundable application fee, followed by a $200,000 fee to get the permit, according to the requirements spelled out in Act 16. On top of that, the growers had to prove to the state that they had $2 million in capital, including $500,000 in the bank, according to the law.
The bar was only a little lower for dispensary applicants. The non-refundable application fee was $5,000, followed by a $30,000 permit fee, according to Act 16. To get a dispensary license, the applicant had to demonstrate they had $150,000 in the bank, according to the law.
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