Article by Patrick McKnight
In July, Pennsylvania significantly expanded its medical cannabis program. The state now includes anxiety and Tourette’s on the list of qualifying conditions for enrollment. The move by the Pennsylvania Health Department now allows medical cannabis for conditions beyond cancer, epilepsy, seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, and terminal illness. Similar decisions in other states have led to rapid increases in enrollment.
Pennsylvania has nearly 116,000 patients certified for participation in its medical cannabis program. The program is relatively new, coming online in February 2018.
“The first year that the state’s medical cannabis program has been operational tells us that this program is working to help Pennsylvanians in need of this medication,” Governor Wolf said. “Patients are realizing the benefits and there has been steady, positive progress that I am pleased to report.”
In its first full year, Pennsylvania collected $2 million in tax revenue from growers and processors. Dispensaries reported $132 million in sales. The program has also expanded to allow patients to purchase cannabis is dried leaf form. Initially, only pills, liquids, or topical ointments were permitted.
“Our goal for the next year and beyond is to increase the number of grower/processors and dispensaries operating, to register even more physicians and to continue the growth of our scientific, medically based program,” said Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said.
Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program is noteworthy for its promotion of scientific testing. As part of the program, the state certifies eight academic clinical research centers. The mission of the clinical program is to conduct, “Research on the therapeutic or palliative efficacy of medical cannabis limited to the serious medical conditions defined by the act and the temporary regulations.” The state also has four approved laboratories for quality testing and sampling.
Source cannabislaw.report