More than 10,000 patients have registered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health to participate in the state’s forthcoming medical cannabis program; however, just 1,188 of those have so far been given certification by a physician to access the program, which is expected to roll out in early 2018.
“Patients have started to receive their medical marijuana identification cards, bringing us one step closer to getting medication to patients in the next four months. Our grower/processors are well underway, and our dispensaries are approaching the point where they will be ready to open their doors. Patients who are desperately waiting for this medication will soon find relief.” – Gov. Tom Wolf, in a press release
The Department of Health has also approved eight grower/processors following successful inspections and integration with the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system. The approved entities can begin accepting seeds and clones. Dr. Rachel Levine, acting health secretary and physician general, indicated four other cultivation/processing businesses are in the “final stages” of the approval process.
“We have been working with them to make sure they are meeting all of the standards set out by the regulations and their facilities are safe and secure. At this time, we do not foresee any issues with the remaining facilities that would prevent them from becoming operational.” – Dr. Levine in a statement
About 250 physicians throughout Pennsylvania have completed the required state training to recommend medical cannabis and another 300 have registered to participate in the program but have not completed the requirements.