In a letter to Congress, Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday again expressed his concern over any interference by the federal government in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program implementation.
“As Congress returns to session and continues moving forward on an appropriations bill for the 2018 fiscal year, I encourage you to support the amendment by Congressman Rohrabacher that prohibits the Department of Justice from using federal funds to prevent states from implementing a law that authorizes the use, distribution, possession, or cultivation of medical marijuana.
“Twenty-nine states have passed legislation legalizing medical marijuana and there is broad support among the medical community of its benefits. Unfortunately, the Trump administration seems intent on impeding those suffering, including children and veterans, from getting the relief that is available to them.
“Republicans and Democrats came together in the Pennsylvania General Assembly to send the legislation legalizing medical marijuana to my desk. We met with families who told stories of their children’s suffering and how medical marijuana offered them possibilities that were never there before. I am proud to say that Pennsylvania is on track for full implementation of its medical marijuana program in early 2018.”
The Medical Marijuana Program was signed into law by Gov. Wolf on April 17, 2016. Since that time, the Pennsylvania Department of Health has:
-- Completed the Safe Harbor temporary guidelines and Safe Harbor Letter application process, as well as approved 294 applications;
-- Completed temporary regulations for: growers/processors; dispensaries; practitioners; and laboratories, which have all appeared in the Pennsylvania Bulletin;
-- Released applications for medical training providers and laboratories;
-- Issued permits to 27 entities for dispensaries and 12 entities for grower/processers;
-- Developed the Medical Marijuana Physician Workgroup; and
-- Awarded a contract to MJ Freeway for electronic tracking of medical marijuana.
Gov. Wolf’s letter concludes, “Failure to pass this amendment will force more suffering on some of our most vulnerable constituents. I urge you to support the Rohrabacher amendment to ensure that our citizens are able to receive the relief they so desperately need.”
Click Here for a copy of the letter.
Click Here for a copy of the letter.
