MJ Freeway wins $10M PA medical cannabis tracking deal

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(Note: This story has been updated from an earlier version.)

Embattled MJ Freeway received a key vote of confidence Thursday after Pennsylvania awarded the Denver company a $10 million contract to provide a seed-to-sale tracking system to keep tabs on the state’s new medical marijuana program.


MJBizConThe five-year contract is a shot in the arm for MJ Freeway, given that Pennsylvania’s MMJ market is forecast to generate more than $100 million in annual sales a few years after it’s up and…

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West Virginia Becomes the 29th Medical Marijuana State

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Today, West Virginia officially became the 29th state to pass medical marijuana legislation!

Gov. Jim Justice signed the law today after the bipartisan bill passed both the Senate and House earlier this month.

While the law isn’t perfect, it’s a great start toward providing safe and legal access to medical marijuana for qualifying patients. A summary is available here.

This achievement didn’t happen overnight. In fact, MPP, along with many other advocates, has been working tirelessly to get a medical marijuana bill passed for…

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MPP Responds to Reports of New Drug Czar Nominee Tom Marino

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Rep. Tom Marino

The Marijuana Policy Project has issued the statement below in response to reports that Congressman Tom Marino (R-PA) will be named the next director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), also known as the “drug czar.”

As a member of Congress, Marino has consistently voted against marijuana policy reform legislation.

MPP’s Robert Capecchi released the following statement in a press release:

“We are disappointed but not at all surprised to hear a marijuana prohibitionist is being…

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Pennsylvania: Harrisburg Marijuana Decriminalization Measure Takes Effect

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Harrisburg, the state capital of Pennsylvania, as seen from City Island in the Susquehanna River. (Flickr/Don Shall)

NORML | March 29, 2017

HARRISBURG, PA — Minor marijuana possession offenders are no longer subject to arrest in the city of Harrisburg under a new local ordinance that took effect last week.

The municipal measure, approved by members of the City Council in July, reduces local marijuana possession penalties for first-time and second-time offenders from a criminal misdemeanor to a…

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Pennsylvania Auditor General Says State Lawmakers Should Regulate the Marijuana Market

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NORML | March 9, 2017

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s auditor general on Monday publicly advocated for the legalization and taxation of retail marijuana sales, arguing that such a policy would bring new jobs and tax revenue to the state.

Speaking at a news conference at the state capitol, Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said:

“The regulation and taxation of the marijuana train has rumbled out of the station, and it is time to add a stop in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I make this…

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Application window opens for PA’s medical cannabis market

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Cannabis entrepreneurs looking to do business in Pennsylvania’s impending medical marijuana industry have one month to submit applications for licenses.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health said it will start accepting applications for grower/processor and dispensary licenses from Feb. 20 until March 20.


Spring 2017 MJBizConThe non-refundable fee for growing and processing applications is $10,000; the dispensary application fee, also non-refundable, is $5,000.

Per the MMJ law the state enacted in April 2016, regulators can award up to 25 grower/processor…

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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program Reaches Important Milestone

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Scott Gacek | December 22, 2016

HARRISBURG, PA — Full implementation of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program is still over a year away, but a significant milestone was reached this week when the Department of Health announced where the state’s dispensaries and cultivation facilities will be located, and that applications will be accepted starting in January.

On Wednesday, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy announced that up to twelve grower/processor licensses will be issued across…

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Pennsylvania announces medical cannabis licensing plan

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Pennsylvania will issue applications for medical marijuana cultivation, processing and dispensary licenses on Jan. 17, and applicants will have between Feb. 20 and March 20 to submit their bids, state regulators said at a news conference Wednesday.

Dr. Karen Murphy, the state’s secretary of health, and John Collins, director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Medical Marijuana, also announced that the allotted licenses will be awarded in phases instead of all at once.

Pennsylvania’s temporary program rules call for permits for 25…

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Pennsylvania Dept. Of Health Asking for Patient Input on Medical Marijuana Regulations

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The Pennsylvania Department of Health has asked patients and caregivers to complete a brief survey to help gauge public interest in the medical marijuana program. The responses will be considered as part of the process of drafting medical marijuana regulations relating to patients and doctors.
The patient survey takes less than five minutes to complete and asks just 12 questions, including where you live in Pennsylvania,255px-flag_of_pennsylvania-svg what condition you seek to treat, and the types of treatments in which you are interested. You can also submit…

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Pennsylvania Department of Health Wants Public Input on Medical Marijuana Application Process

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Pennsylvania flag flying

Press Release | December 6, 2016

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Karen Murphy today encouraged individuals interested in applying for a medical marijuana grower/processor and/or dispensary permit to complete a brief survey on the department’s website.

“One of our primary focuses as we continue to develop this program is to make sure that patients with serious medical conditions have access to facilities to obtain medical marijuana.” said Secretary Murphy. “As we…

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Election Day Voter Guides

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Today is the day! This is the biggest election in marijuana policy reform history, but even if you can’t vote on a legalization or medical marijuana ballot initiative today, you could play an important part to make future progress possible in your state.logo-mpp-286-mpp-and-we-change-laws

Before you vote, please check out MPP’s voter guides if you live in the following places:

Delaware

District of Columbia

Illinois

Nebraska

New Hampshire

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Vermont

And don’t forget to tell your friends in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Maine,

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PA issues temporary rules for MMJ cannabis growers, producers

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Pennsylvania’s Department of Health has issued temporary regulations for medical marijuana growers and processors, and some noteworthy changes have been made from the draft version issued in August.


Conference Deadline ApproachingHowever, the regulations are good for only a 24-month period, and a different set of rules could be established by the time medical cannabis is expected to hit the market in the third quarter of 2018, said Steve Schain, an attorney who practices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

“These regs may have little permanent impact,” Schain wrote in…

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The East Coast medical cannabis market: Q&A with Ted Rebholz of Temescal Wellness

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Ted Rebholz LR

By Omar Sacirbey

Ted Rebholz was offered a high-level position at Harborside Health Center, but he turned it down to stay with a tech firm that was later sold to Cisco Systems.

Crossing paths with Harborside piqued Rebholz’s interest in the cannabis industry, paving the way for him to start a licensed MMJ business in New Hampshire. 

Rebholz’s company, Temescal Wellness, owns two of New Hampshire’s four state-allotted dispensaries.

Rebholz – who once toyed with the idea of working in the public sector for an institution like the World…

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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Draft Business Rules Released

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Since Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act (Act 16) went into effect on May 17, 2016, the Department of Health has been working to implement the new law. Thus far, it has created regulations regarding — and accepted applications for — the safe harbor letter program, which provides legal protections for those caring for minor patients when they administer medical marijuana. The department recently announced that 53 caregivers have received a letter.PA Seal
On August 18, the department released draft temporary regulations regarding growers…

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Top Legislative Victories of 2016

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Now that most state legislative sessions are over for the year, MPP’s Rob Kampia has published a list of the biggest victories in what is already the biggest year on record for marijuana policy reformers!Rating_Badge_JO

On July 29, Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner (R) signed a bill removing the threat of arrest for small amounts of marijuana, capping a record year of legislative and administrative marijuana policy reforms throughout the country.

Two states, Pennsylvania and Ohio, enacted effective medical marijuana laws via their legislatures, making them…

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PA Regulators Seek Input for Medical Cannabis Rules

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Pennsylvania regulators want input from cannabis entrepreneurs on regulations that will govern the state’s new medical marijuana program.

The request gives hopeful industry entrants – and longtime veterans – a chance to shape what could be one of the biggest and most important markets in the northeast.

The draft regulations, which can be viewed at the state health department’s website, will be open for viewing and comment until Aug. 28, Pennlive.com reported.

The industry itself is not expected to launch until 2018. But the…

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Pennsylvania Gov Signs Industrial Hemp Law

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Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has put his signature on a law that could restart his state’s hemp industry.

The new law, while it doesn’t immediately authorize commercial hemp production, could lead to “large scale production,” according to WITF.

The law authorizes the state Agriculture Department and institutions of higher education to begin cultivating hemp for research purposes, either by themselves or via independent contractors, which could lead to solid business opportunities for would-be hemp growers in Pennsylvania.

The bill’s…

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Medical Cannabis Research Growing But Hurdles Remain

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Scientific Research - Stock Image

By Omar Sacirbey

Scientific researchers are increasingly interested in studying the medicinal properties of cannabis, and breakthroughs have been achieved that could lead to additional uses for medical marijuana.

The moves could bolster the MMJ industry and boost sales. But marijuana’s status as a federally prohibited Schedule 1 drug remains a serious obstacle to research.

That status undermines the medical community’s acceptance of marijuana, which is crucial for the MMJ industry to thrive. Dispensaries depend on doctors to write…

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Pennsylvania: Hemp Farming Bill Sent to Governor

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Pennsylvania: Hemp Farming Bill Sent to Governor

HARRISBURG, PA — State lawmakers in Pennsylvania have approved legislation, House Bill 967, to establish “a pilot program to study the growth, cultivation or marketing of industrial hemp.”

The measure was transmitted to the Governor’s office on Monday, July 11.

This proposal is compliant with Section 7606 of the omnibus federal farm bill authorizing states to sponsor hemp cultivation pilot programs absent federal reclassification of the plant.

More than two dozen states have enacted legislation permitting licensed hemp cultivation in a…

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Pennsylvania Bill Would Raise Fines for Marijuana Possession

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Advocates urge decriminalization as House Judiciary Committee plans to raise marijuana fines

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee has scheduled a vote on a bill, House Bill 1422, that seeks to massively increase fines for marijuana possession.

Although HB 1422 downgrades 30 grams of marijuana or less from a criminal misdemeanor to a summary offense, those convicted will live with the burden of a criminal record.

Legislators, marijuana reform advocates and potential medical marijuana patients will speak in Harrisburg…

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Poll: Swing State Voters Favor Marijuana Legalization

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Poll: Swing State Voters Favor Marijuana Legalization

Solid majorities of voters in the swing states of Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania support the legalization of marijuana for adult use, and super-majorities in Florida and Ohio support efforts to medicalize the plant, according to polling data provided today by Quinnipiac University.

Fifty-six percent of Florida voters believe that state law ought to allow “adults to legally possess for personal use small amounts of marijuana.” Only majorities of self-identified Republicans and respondents over the age of 65 oppose legalization.

With…

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Pennsylvania Could Soon See Reduced Penalties for Marijuana Possession

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HARRISBURG, PA — Now that Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has signed into law a bill to make the Keystone State the 24th state to enact a comprehensive medical marijuana program, one of the bill’s primary supporters in the House plans on filing a proposal to reduce penalties for anyone caught possessing small amounts of marijuana in the state.

State Representative Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny County), a key advocate for the recently passed medical marijuana bill in the House, on Thursday announced his intentions to file the proposal in the…

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Pennsylvania Becomes 24th State to Legalize Medical Cannabis

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HARRISBURG, PA — In front of a crowd of patients and advocates on Sunday, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, making Pennsylvania the 24th state in the country to adopt a comprehensive medical marijuana program.

The bill, introduced by Senator Mike Folmer, passed the House of Representatives on April 13 in a vote of 149-46 after nearly a year of delays and debate on amendments, most of which were not ultimately included.  The bill will allow patients, with cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, seizures, autism,…

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As PA Becomes 24th Medical Marijuana State, Focus Shifts to Implementation

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On Sunday afternoon, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed Senate Bill 3, making Pennsylvania the 24th medical cannabis state in the country. And with 17 other states offering legal protections for low-THC medical cannabis, there are now 300 million Americans living where their state law is at odds with federal law.

The addition of PA as a medical cannabis state will no doubt help the federal picture, but for Pennsylvanian patients who need access to this medicine, the focus now shifts to implementation of the program.

ASA has observed that…

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Pennsylvania Becomes 24th Medical Marijuana State

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Today, Gov. Tom Wolf signed the Medical Marijuana Act (SB 3) into law, making Pennsylvania the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana. This tremendous victory was made possible through the hard work of families, advocates, and lawmakers.

SB 3 will allow patients with qualifying conditions to use and safely access medical marijuana. Once applications are available from the Department of Health, eligible patients whose doctors recommend cannabis will be able to obtain identification cards. The law allows for up to…

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Gov. Wolf Signs Bill Making Pennsylvania the 24th Medical Marijuana State

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Gov. Wolf Signs Bill Making Pennsylvania the 24th Medical Marijuana State

More than 50% of Americans now live in states with effective medical marijuana laws

HARRISBURG, PA — In a ceremony crowded with patients and supporters at the State Capital on Sunday, Gov. Tom Wolf signed a bill into law that will provide seriously ill Pennsylvanians with legal access to medical marijuana. The passage of SB 3 makes Pennsylvania the 24th state to allow medical marijuana.

More than half of Americans now live in states with effective medical marijuana laws.

SB 3 would allow patients with a qualifying condition and their…

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Pennsylvania Poised to Become Next Medical Marijuana State

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Almost a year after the Pennsylvania Senate first approved SB 3, the General Assembly is finally sending the medical marijuana legislation to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature.

SB 3 will create a comprehensive, compassionate medical marijuana program that allows patients with certain serious conditions access to medical marijuana with their doctors’ recommendation. Medical marijuana will be dispensed through a well-regulated system of state authorized grower/processors and up to 150 dispensary locations. While the…

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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Bill Receives Final Approval in Legislature, Heads to Gov. Wolf for His Signature

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Once the bill is signed, Pennsylvania will become the 24th state to adopt an effective medical marijuana law

HARRISBURG, PA — A long-awaited bill to establish a medical marijuana program in Pennsylvania received final approval from state lawmakers on Wednesday and is now headed to the desk of Gov. Tom Wolf, who has 10 calendar days to sign it into law.

If Gov. Wolf signs the bill into law, as expected, Pennsylvania will become the 24th state in the nation (in addition to the District of Columbia) to adopt an effective medical marijuana…

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Pennsylvania: Lawmakers Give Final Approval To Medical Marijuana Measure

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HARRISBURG, PA — House and Senate lawmakers have signed off on legislation, Senate Bill 3, to permit the production and use of medical marijuana products to qualified patients.

Members of the Senate initially approved the measure in 2015. House leadership delayed acting on the bill for several months until finally passing an amended version of SB 3 in March.

Senate and House members voted this week in favor of a concurrent version of the proposal. The measure now goes before Gov. Tom Wolf, who supports patients’ access to medical cannabis…

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Pennsylvania Senate Approves Revised Medical Marijuana Bill

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Pennsylvania Senate Approves Revised Medical Marijuana Bill

If the House votes to concur, SB 3 will finally be sent to the governor for his signature; Pennsylvania would be the 24th state to legalize medical marijuana

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Senate approved a revised bill Tuesday (42-7) that would allow residents suffering from debilitating conditions to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it.

The Senate made some technical changes to the version of SB 3 that the House approved last month.

The revised bill will now go back to the House for concurrence. If the House votes to…

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Sizing Up Pennsylvania’s Potential Medical Mariijuana Market

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By Omar Sacirbey

Pennsylvania is tantalizingly close to legalizing medical marijuana via a proposal that would create one of the most compelling new cannabis markets in the nation.

Lawmakers are considering a bill that, as it stands now, would pave the way for ample business opportunities, a sizable patient base and annual sales that could quickly reach the hundreds of millions.

The initial bill cleared the state Senate and moved to the House, which passed a version with substantial changes….

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LA Cannabis Consultancy Partners With PA Lobbying Firm

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The Pennsylvania Legislature has not yet finalized a bill legalizing medical marijuana, but passage seems likely enough that two powerful businesses have formed a partnership in the cannabis space.

MedMen, a nine-year-old cannabis consultancy in Los Angeles, and the Winter Group, a government relations firm in the Pennsylvania state capital of Harrisburg, announced their partnership Monday.

“We can provide new businesses with the ability to approach the market with a sound political and…

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Pennsylvania House Approves Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Bill

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Pennsylvania House Approves Comprehensive Medical Marijuana Bill

Once the bill receives final approval from the Senate and a signature from Gov. Wolf, Pennsylvania will become the 24th state to adopt an effective medical marijuana law

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved a bill Wednesday (149-43) that would allow residents suffering from debilitating conditions to access medical marijuana if their doctors recommend it. The House-amended version of SB 3 will now go back to the Senate for approval.

The Senate approved the original bill 40-7 in May 2015. The bill then stalled…

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Pennsylvania Poised to Legalize Medical Marijuana

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The Pennsylvania House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed a medical marijuana legalization bill by a 149-43 vote late Wednesday afternoon, putting it on the path to become the 24th state with legalized medical cannabis.

Because it was amended in the House of Representatives, the bill must now return where it started, in the state Senate, which could take it up as early as Monday. The Senate version of the bill passed that chamber 40-7 in a vote last May, but it’s not clear how…

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Pennsylvania House Votes 149-43 to Pass Medical Marijuana Bill

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Pennsylvania House Votes 149-43 to Pass Medical Marijuana Bill

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania is poised to become the 24th US state, plus the District of Columbia, to legalize medical marijuana.

After a long, emotional debate following several days considering amendments, lawmakers in the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania House voted 149 to 43 Wednesday evening to approve a bi-partisan bill to allow medical marijuana in the state.

The bill, Senate Bill 3, now returns to the Senate to approve many significant changes made in the House.  Last May, the Senate passed the measure by a vote of 40 to…

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Pennsylvania Poised to Become 24th Medical Marijuana State

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HARRISBURG, PA — Following a 10-month delay since the state Senate first approved Senate Bill 3, which will allow residents suffering from specified medical conditions to use medical marijuana with their doctor’s approval, the House Wednesday approved an amended version of the bill.

The Senate is expected to approve the amended bill, and Gov. Tom Wolf (D) has said he will sign it into law.

“Today’s vote comes as huge relief to countless Pennsylvanians,” said Latrisha Bentch of Harrisburg, whose daughter suffers from mesial temporal…

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Pennsylvania Senate Unanimously Passes Industrial Hemp Bill

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Pennsylvania Senate Unanimously Passes Industrial Hemp Bill

HARRISBURG, PA — While sick Pennsylvanians anxiously await the outcome of an expected vote to legalize medical marijuana in the Pennsylvania House, lawmakers in the Senate voted unanimously to approve a bill to create an industrial hemp cultivation pilot program on Wednesday.

Members of the Senate voted 49-0 to approve Senate Bill 50, the Industrial Hemp Act.  Over 20 states have adopted similar laws.

The bill, which authorizes instituions of higher education to conduct agricultural pilot programs in hemp cultivation research under…

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The Latest on Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Senate Bill 3

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The Latest on Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Senate Bill 3

HARRISBURG, PA — After almost a year of delays, a medical marijuana legalization bill may soon pass the Pennsylvania House.  Since the week began, lawmakers have been busy debating many amendments to Senate Bill 3, the medical marijuana bill that was overwhelmingly approved by the Senate last spring.

Over the course of Monday and Tuesday, House lawmakers debated and voted on dozens of amendments to the proposal, with very few passing.  There were upwards of an estimated 220 potential amendments to the bill — many redundant — in…

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Pennsylvania House to Vote Monday on Medical Marijuana Bill

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HARRISBURG, PA — Ten months after the state Senate overwhelmingly voted to approve a popular bi-partisan bill to legalize non-smokable forms of medical marijuana in the Keystone State, the Pennsylvania House is finally scheduled to vote on the measure.

Floor debate and a vote is expected on Monday, March 14, on Senate Bill 3.  The bill is scheduled for a second consideration on the House calendar.

The bill enjoys strong bipartisan support, including primary co-sponsors Senators Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery County) and Mike Folmer…

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PA: NORML PAC Endorses John Fetterman for U.S. Senate

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PA: NORML PAC Endorses John Fetterman for U.S. Senate

NORML PAC is pleased to announce it’s endorsement of Braddock, PA Mayor John Fetterman in his campaign to be elected to the United States Senate representing the state of Pennsylvania.

Mayor John has made marijuana law reform an important topic of his campaign.

When asked about his position towards eliminating criminal penalties for the responsible use of marijuana by adults his campaign responded:

“As a small town mayor of a community of color, Mayor John has seen first hand how the War on Drugs has failed and how it has…

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Pennsylvania Patients, Advocates Hold Rally at Statehouse

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Eight months after the Pennsylvania Senate last approved medical cannabis protections, patients are still waiting for the House to follow suit. On Monday, they held a rally at the State Capitol to urge lawmakers to make passing a comprehensive medical marijuana bill a priority.

The Patriot-News reports:

Several dozen supporters of a bill to permit use of certain cannabis-based products for medicinal purposes in Pennsylvania ramped up the pressure on hesitant state House leaders Monday.

The group of parent,…

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PA Governor Speaks at Medical Marijuana Rally: “We Need to Get This Done”

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PA Governor Speaks at Medical Marijuana Rally: “We Need to Get This Done”

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf (D) made a surprise appearance at a medical marijuana rally at the Capitol on Monday, calling out House Speaker Mike Turzai (R) for stalling a medical marijuana bill that passed the Senate last year.

“This has actually passed the Senate. Republicans and Democrats both voted for this,” Wolf told supporters Monday.  “We have the votes in the House. We can get this done.  We need to get this done.”

“There are people suffering,” Wolf continued.  “We need to get this across…

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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Patients to Rally at Capitol

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To all Pennsylvania and US lawmakers, court officials, and law enforcement officers—

I am a taxpaying Pennsylvania native, Reverend, Eagle Scout, and medical cannabis user for ADHD, depression, and anxiety. I have consulted with several excellent doctors and therapists, from various US states and other developed nations of the world including Germany, Israel, and Denmark— all of whom have seen that it is fitting and proper to recommended cannabis to me, including the great Dr Allan Frankel (http://www.greenbridgemed.com/ ). As a…

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Pennsylvania State Police Seized Over $7 Million Worth of Marijuana in 2015

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Pennsylvania State Police Seized Over $7 Million Worth of Marijuana in 2015

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania State Police seized over $7 million worth of marijuana in 2015, officials announced Wednesday.

According to a press release issued Wednesday by Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Tyree Blocker, the total value of marijuana seized by Pennsylvania state troopers totaled $7,129,607.

This figure does not include seizures made by local, county and other police departments in the state.

If marijuana sales were legal in the Commonwealth, the state could have earned nearly half a million dollars in tax…

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Pittsburgh NORML and Colorado NORML Wager Weed vs. Booze for Steelers-Broncos Playoff Game

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Pittsburgh NORML and Colorado NORML Wager Weed vs. Booze for Steelers-Broncos Playoff Game

PITTSBURGH, PA — Executive Director of Pittsburgh NORML Patrick K. Nightingale challenged Board Member of Colorado NORML Chris Chiari to a friendly wager on the Steelers/Broncos game this coming weekend and the stakes are as you can say HIGH!

If Pittsburgh wins the game then Chris from CO Norml will personally provide one ounce of marijuana. Chris Chiari of CO NORML says “I’m offering to host some of the folks from Pittsburgh NORML for a house party, they’ll have to come here to legally consume their winnings. It’s exciting to see…

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Pittsburgh Mayor Signs Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance

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PITTSBURGH, PA — Without any press or fanfare, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto signed into law an ordinance passed by the city council to decriminalize possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana in Pittsburgh just before Christmas.

The ordinance was signed by Mayor Peduto on December 22, the day after it was passed by the city council by a 7-2 vote, according to a report by longtime marijuana activist Chris Goldstein at Philly.com.  The city’s website confirms the mayor has signed the bill.

There is no timeline in place for the full…

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Marijuana Decriminalization in Pittsburgh: What Does It Mean?

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Having been in the front lines of the fight for marijuana legalization in the state of Pennsylvania, I am naturally excited by the recent events in Pittsburgh. The City Council voted in favor of decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana and hashish within city limits this week.

This is a big step forward in the fight, make no mistake. It will also be a relief for citizens, the court system and police. No longer will the police and the courts be tied up dealing with simple possession charges, which will translate to an estimated annual…

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Pittsburgh Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Wins Final Approval

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City Council gives final approval to decriminalization ordinance by a 7-2 vote

PITTSBURGH, PA — The city of Pittsburgh will soon become the second major city in Pennsylvania to treat marijuana possession as a fine-only offense, instead of a criminal misdemeanor, joining Philadelphia, who passed a similar ordinance last year.

After receiving preliminary approval on a 6-1 vote last week, the City Council gave final approval to the decriminalization measure by a 7-2 vote on Monday.

Councilwomen Theresa Kail-Smith and Darlene Harris voted…

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Attention Pennsylvanians: E-mail Your State Representative to Vote Against the Marsico Amendment

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Pennsylvania state Rep. Ron Marsico of Dauphin County has proposed an amendment to their medical marijuana bill SB 3. This amendment limits THC levels and the number of growers and dispensers, making patient access to medicine more difficult.

These patients need your help.

Senate Bill 3 created more meaningful access to medical cannabis for Pennsylvanians suffering from serious and all too common illnesses including cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, PTSD, multiple sclerosis, severe fibromyalgia, HIV/AIDS, and glaucoma among other…

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Pittsburgh Poised to Decriminalize Small Amounts of Marijuana

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PITTSBURGH, PA — The city of Pittsburgh is poised to become the second major city in Pennsylvania to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Following a hearing on Tuesday, where about 40 people testified in favor of the proposal and no opposition was voiced, the Pittsburgh City Council is expected to give preliminary approval Wednesday to an ordinance that will allow police in the city the option to cite individuals found in possession of a small amount of marijuana, instead of arresting them and charging them with…

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