More than 100,000 Pennsylvanians now have passports to medical marijuana.
Doctors have approved more than 102,000 certifications allowing patients to buy medical marijuana at licensed state dispensaries, state officials announced this week.
“Realizing 100,000 patient certifications and seeing the first Phase II grower and processor operationalized is a testament to the hard work of the Department of Health, the many advocates for this program, and our General Assembly, who passed this legislation nearly three years ago,” Gov. Tom Wolf said. “It’s progress that is making a difference in the lives of many Pennsylvanians.”
And state officials are tracking it. In February, they announced medical marijuana sales in Pennsylvania topped $132 million in the first full year of availability.
Before they can participate in the program, patients with one of 21 qualifying conditions must be certified by a doctor at a cost of $200 and buy a Pennsylvania medical marijuana identification card for $50.
The latest reports on medical marijuana were released as Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a longtime proponent of legalizing recreational marijuana, continued a statewide listening tour on the pros and cons of the issue.
More than 200 people showed up and shared sharply divided opinions when Fetterman held a town hall meeting last month in Greensburg.
Fetterman, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale and Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto support legalizing recreational marijuana. DePasquale estimated that legalizing recreational marijuana could generate $500 million in new tax revenue for the state.
