Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program Reaches Important Milestone
HARRISBURG, PA Full implementation of Pennsylvanias medical marijuana program is still over a year away, buta significant milestone was reached this week when the Department of Health announced where the states dispensaries and cultivation facilities will be located, and that applications will be accepted starting in January.
On Wednesday, PennsylvaniaSecretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy announced that up to twelve grower/processor licensses will be issued across Pennsylvania, and up to 27 medical marijuana dispensaries will be permitted in the first phase of the states medical marijuanaprogram. The application process begins next month.
I am excited to announce that weve reached an important milestone in the program with the release of permit applications on January 17, 2017, Murphy said in a press release. Applications will be available from the Department of Healthswebsite at www.health.pa.gov.
The state is divided into six medical marijuana regions, with each region allocated twocultivation facilities. Each region will have a varied number of dispensaries, based on a number of factors, including population density.
The decision for which counties will be issued permits in this first phase was determined by using the departments medical data, as well as comments from more than 5,000 patients and nearly 900 potential grower/processors and dispensary applicants, Dr. Murphy explained.
Not surprisingly, the Southeast Region,which includes Pthiladelphia, will receive the most dispensaries, with ten being allocated. Rural regions of Pennsylvania will receive two.
Philadelphia County, which is made up of the city of Philadelphia, will receive 3 dispensaries. Montgomery County,comprised mostly of Philadelphia suburbs, will receive two. Allegheny County, home to the states second ...
