Pennsylvania launches 24th US medical marijuana program

[WhiteTara]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/pennsylvania-launches-24th-us-medical-marijuana-program/2016/04/17/a2a69b8a-04c7-11e6-bfed-ef65dff5970d_story.html

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania has become the 24th state to legalize a comprehensive medical marijuana program.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf signed the bill into law Sunday afternoon surrounded by a jubilant crowd of supporters at the Capitol building in Harrisburg.

“Marijuana is medicine and it’s coming to Pennsylvania,” said Democratic Sen. Daylin Leach, the bill’s co-sponsor.

The bill’s drafters say it could take two years to write regulations and get retailers opened, but a provision allows parents to legally administer medical marijuana to their children before the bill takes effect in a month.

[phazed0]

1. Coming to a nation near you.

I suspect we are going to see a huge flip in policy soon as the obvious silliness of the War on Drugs continues to be shown. The people, evidence and science have spoken.

Stop being a Nanny-state.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

4. In Western states, legalized Marijuana creates vast tax dollars

Also, legally separating Marijuana from dangerous drugs reduces an illegal drug dealers access to younger users, willing to loot mom and dad's stash or buy it, illegally, like alcohol.

[Dustlawyer]

5. It's easier for kids to buy drugs on the black market than alcohol or cigarettes.

There is not enough of a market for just kids, and the penalties are through the roof if you get caught!

[MH1]

2. "comprehensive" is going a bit far.

Unless there's more to the bill than I have heard.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. AP truncated what was signed

the main limitation being forms that cannot be smoked.

The law allows people suffering from 17 specified conditions - including cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and seizures - to access medical marijuana in pill, oil, or ointment form at dispensaries statewide.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20160418_Legal_medical_marijuana_brings_hope_to_many_in_Pa_.html#mLKLrzorgLbMy08j.99

The good thing though, knowing how long it will take to get this up and running, is this (from same Inquirer article) -

Getting the system up and running could take more than 18 months before a patient can actually access medical marijuana. A provision in the bill allows families with children under 18 to obtain medical marijuana from other states where it is legal without fear of prosecution.

So for PAers, there is New Jersey & Delaware (for those in eastern PA) and Maryland (state-wide).

[Ruby the Liberal]

7. How does that work?

I saw on the news tonight that parents can buy from MMJ states in 30 days (and adults in 6 months) - but they didn't say anything about the registration cards. That system isn't in place and won't be in a month. Does this mean they have to go to fully legal states and risk federal law bringing it back across the country?

[Warren DeMontague]

3. I suspect it will be done East Coast style, namely treat the stuff like it is plutonium & make it

Nearly impossible to get.

But, its a step in the right direction.

Meanwhile, 4 states and counting are experiening genuine freedom as we speak.

[Uncle Joe]

8. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, WhiteTara.