Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Signups Start Fast
"The response from patients and caregivers has been extremely positive," agreed Acting Secretary for the Department of Health and Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine said. "Right now, patients and caregivers across Pennsylvania can go to our website at medicalmarijuana.pa.gov and register to participate in the medical marijuana program. Their next step is to visit an approved doctor to become certified with the program."
Slightly more than 3,800 patients and more than 200 caregivers registered for Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program since the Medical Marijuana Patient and Caregiver Registry launched a week earlier, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announced Nov. 8. "Since I signed medical marijuana into law in 2016, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has been laser-focused on implementation," the governor said. "The success of the patient registry one week since it was announced is another indicator of the need for this vital medication and a testament to the department's commitment to making medical marijuana available to patients in 2018."
"The response from patients and caregivers has been extremely positive," agreed Acting Secretary for the Department of Health and Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine said. "Right now, patients and caregivers across Pennsylvania can go to our website at medicalmarijuana.pa.gov and register to participate in the medical marijuana program. Their next step is to visit an approved doctor to become certified with the program."
Before registering, patients and caregivers should:
- Talk to your physician to see whether medical marijuana is right for you and ask whether they are registered with the program.
- Make sure the address on your state-issued identification or driver's license matches where you currently live.
- If you need assistance in getting your medical marijuana, designate a caregiver to help.
"When patients or caregivers are registering, they need to be sure to follow the instructions on the registry," Levine said. "It is especially important to enter in your identification information exactly as it appears on your driver's license or state-issued ID."
Wolf signed the Medical Marijuana Program into law on April 17, 2016. Since then, the department has:
- Completed the Safe Harbor temporary guidelines and Safe Harbor Letter application process
- Approved 324 applications
- Completed temporary regulations for growers/processors, dispensaries physicians and laboratories, all of which have appeared in the Pennsylvania Bulletin
- Issued permits to grower/processors and dispensaries
- Developed the Medical Marijuana Physician Workgroup
- Approved four training providers for physicians' continuing education
- Approved two laboratories to test medication before it is delivered to patients
- Approved three grower/processors to begin production of medical marijuana
The program is expected to be fully implemented by 2018.