The Medical Marijuana Act Is Now Law In Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is the 24th state to legalize the use of medical cannabis through the Medical Marijuana Act, which went into effect in May of this year. The law did not address the recreational use of marijuana, which remains unlawful.
The law provides for the regulation of up to 25 processors and growers of marijuana and up to 50 dispensaries. Each dispensary may have as many as three locations. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has until November 17 to release temporary regulations and rules.
The Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society estimates that as many as 200,000 people currently use marijuana for medical purposes. The group estimated that the medical marijuana industry will create more than 5,000 jobs in the state.
Health Conditions that Qualify for Medical Marijuana Program
A preliminary list of health conditions that qualify for medical marijuana use under the Medical Marijuana Act includes the following:
- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- Autism
- Cancer
- Chronic severe pain
- Crohn’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Huntington’s Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Intractable Seizures
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neuropathies
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sickle Cell Anemia
- Spinal cord nerve damage
The law allows the Pennsylvania Department of Health to add more conditions in the future.
How to Obtain Authorization to Use Medical Marijuana
Patients seeking to use medical marijuana need to obtain a recommendation from a physician. Physicians who plan on recommending such treatment must register with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and complete a four-hour course about the substance. Physicians must also keep records and report on the status and progress of patients using medical marijuana.
A medical card will be issued to individuals who seek medical marijuana. They may use the card as authorization to purchase cannabis pills, oils, gels, creams, ointments, tinctures, liquids, and non-whole plant forms of cannabis that can be vaporized. Smokeable cannabis buds and flowers are not included in the program.
Our Criminal Defense Attorneys are Here to Help
Worgul, Sarna & Ness, Criminal Defense Attorneys, LLC has extensive experience representing people throughout Pennsylvania in marijuana-related crimes. Although medical marijuana is legal, recreational use of the substance is not. If you’ve been arrested for or charged with a drug-related crime, contact a marijuana lawyer at (412) 281-2146 today for a free consultation.