Pennsylvania Has Officially Started Medical Marijuana Sales

Medical marijuana sales have officially begun in Pennsylvania. Six of the 10 state-approved dispensaries were open and selling to the state’s first medical marijuana patients.

Up to 81 more dispensaries are expected to open across the state over the next few months, reports the MPP. Nearly 4,000 Pennsylvanians have become medical marijuana patients and more than 13,000 are awaiting approval. This stage of the implementation process is taking place ahead of schedule, less than two years after Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 16 into law.

“Seriously ill Pennsylvanians will be able to get relief earlier than expected thanks to the diligent efforts of regulators and operators,” said Becky Dansky, legislative counsel for the MPP. “There is still a lot of work to be done before implementation is complete. We are hopeful that the medical marijuana program will continue to be refined and improved to ensure patients have safe, reliable, and affordable access to their medicine.”

In 2016, Pennsylvania became the 24th state to pass and implement an effective medical marijuana law. There are 29 states with effective medical marijuana laws and more than a dozen states are expected to have medical marijuana bills introduced in 2018.

Photo: MPP