Pennsylvania Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Cannabis

Pennsylvania Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Medical Cannabis

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed into law a bill that legalizes the medical use and distribution of cannabis. The passage of Senate Bill 3 makes Pennsylvania the 24th state to allow the medical use of cannabis (not including states that only allow CBD oil). More than half of Americans now live in states with effective medical cannabis laws.

Senate Bill 3 – which was passed by the state’s legislature with an 191 to 53 vote – allows those with a qualifying condition who receive a recommendation from a physician to possess and use cannabis and cannabis products. Licensed cannabis retail outlets are also legalized, which will be supplied by licensed cultivation centers (in total 25 cultivation centers and 50 dispensaries are authorized, with each allowed to have up to three separate locations).

Qualifying conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, seizures, autism, sickle cell anemia, and intractable pain if conventional therapies or opiates are contraindicated or ineffective.

“Due to the tireless efforts of patients, families, advocates, and lawmakers, Pennsylvanians will finally have access to this safe and effective treatment option,” says Becky Dansky, a legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project. “Now that more than half of Americans live where medical marijuana is legal, we hope other states and the federal government will reconsider their policies.”

The new law takes effect in 30 days.