Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Karen Murphy just concluded a Press Conference, where she, along with John J. Collins, Director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Medical Marijuana, provided an update on the Grower/Processor and Dispensary Application process and took questions from the Press.

The application deadline for Grower/Processors and Dispensaries was March 20 and the DOH originally set a 90-day period for review of the applications. Secretary Murphy stated today that the review process is proceeding on schedule and that the DOH expects to be completed by that time. Therefore, all current indications are that applicants will receive a decision by late June regarding whether they will receive a permit to grow or dispense medical marijuana in Pennsylvania. Thereafter, the law requires that each permitted facility become “operational” in 6 months.

After announcing the award of permits, Dr. Murphy stated that the DOH will turn its attention to soliciting physicians to register as licensed practitioners under the Medical Marijuana program and to assist them in the process, which will ensure that there are enough physicians to serve prospective patients throughout the State. We recently blogged about this process, as did Fox’s Physician Law Blog.

Make sure to check back for more updates on the Department’s review of applications as the permit award deadline approaches!

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