Marijuana Legalization In Pennsylvania 2016: Medical Pot Program's New Guidelines Released In First Draft

Now that Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program has officially been signed into state law, officials are rolling out the details, rules and regulations of how the program will work.

Pennsylvania’s Department of Health recently released the first draft of the new medical marijuana program guidelines, which explain how state-approved growers and processors can cultivate cannabis as well as how the government plans to keep track of the crop.

However, the department is seeking input in regards to regulations for patients and caregivers by issuing a survey on the department’s website until Sept. 1. The completed list of rules and regulations for growers, processors, caregivers and patients is expected to available by the end of 2016, with the program officially launching by early 2018.

According to PennLive, Pennsylvania Health Secretary Karen Murphy said the department has also approved 53 “Safe Harbor Letters” so far, which allow parents and caregivers access to medical marijuana needed by children 18 years and under who have serious medical conditions.

Some of the rules included in the draft are as following:

Out-of-state marijuana plants are not permitted in Pennsylvania at any time. Growers will have 30 days to import seeds for their first crop, but they will not be allowed to bring any seeds that aren’t locally sourced following. After the first crop marijuana plants can only be produced with seeds, clones or grafts from in-state facilities.

Public officials and state employees are not allowed to have any financial interest in a medical marijuana operation nor can they work in the industry for a year after leaving government jobs.

All medical marijuana companies must have a diversity plan, and the Department of Health must ensure operations include work opportunities for minority owners, employees and contractors within the industry.

Read the full draft of rules at Health.PA.gov.

The Medical Marijuana Program was signed into Pennsylvania state law in April.