Government

Medical Marijuana Could Be Prescribed Within Months


A photo from a test of Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program earlier this week.
Credit: PA Internet News Service

Pennsylvania physicians could be prescribing medical marijuana in the near feature.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said they launched the Medical Marijuana Patient and Caregiver Registry Wednesday and are continuing to review applications from physicians who want to prescribe medical marijuana.

“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,” Dr. Rachel Levine said. “More than 100 physicians have been approved to certify patients, bringing us one step closer to getting medical marijuana to Pennsylvanians who desperately need relief. As Governor Wolf promised when he legalized the program last year, we are on track to deliver medication to patients in the next six months.”

As of Wednesday, more than 300 physicians have registered with the department to take part in the program and 109 were approved. The doctors are required to take part in continuing education and review process.

“We cannot underestimate the role physicians have played in making sure that patients can access medical marijuana,” Levine said. “Our physician workgroup also has been helping to make sure this program remains medically focused and an important tool in our medical toolkit.”

Patients and caregivers interested in the medical marijuana program should talk to their doctor, confirm their address on their  state-issued identification or driver’s license is correct and designate a caregiver, state officials said.

The Department of Health has already approved several medical marijuana growing and dispensaries facilities, including one in Bristol Township.

Pennsylvania became the 24 24th state to legalize medical marijuana last year and requires that patients use the medical substance to treat any of 17 approved medical conditions.


About the author

Tom Sofield

Tom Sofield has covered news in Bucks County for 12 years for both newspaper and online publications. Tom’s reporting has appeared locally, nationally, and internationally across several mediums. He is proud to report on news in the county where he lives and to have created a reliable publication that the community deserves.