Pubdate: Fri, 19 Jan 2018
Source: Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
Copyright: 2018 Philadelphia Newspapers Inc.
Contact: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/about/feedback/
Website: http://www.philly.com/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/339
Author: Sam Wood

PA. HAS APPROVED ALL BUT TWO OF 12 MARIJUANA GROWERS; LOWER MERION GIVES 
OK FOR DISPENSARY

A 10th medical marijuana grower has been approved to begin cultivation
in Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Health. Holistic
Farms LLC was granted permission Friday to plant its first cannabis
crop in Lawrence County, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh.

That leaves only two of the 12 companies with permits yet to be
approved. AES Compassionate Care plans to open in Chambersburg in the
south-central part of the state; AgriMed Industries of Pennsylvania is
expected to operate in Carmichaels, 20 miles south of Pittsburgh. It
was unclear why they have yet to receive approval. Grow houses must
undergo several inspections and be plugged into the state seed-to-sale
tracking system. Representatives of the companies could not be reached
for comment.

On Wednesday, the Lower Merion Board of Commissioners cleared the way
for a potential medical marijuana dispensary on Rock Hill Road. Though
the township has granted a zoning variance, the state has not issued a
permit to any company to operate a facility at the location. A second
round of permits could be granted by the Health Department by
midsummer but they will be subject to a highly competitive selection
process.

The Health Department also certified three laboratories to test
marijuana medicines before the products are sold to dispensaries and
dispensed to patients. The latest lab approved was Steep Hill
Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

According to the state, 13,000 patients have registered to participate
in the program. About 2,100 of those have been certified by an
approved physician. Patients with any of 17 qualifying "serious health
conditions" are eligible. The first marijuana products are expected to
ship to a handful of approved dispensaries during the second week of
February.

The dispensaries will only sell oil-based medicines, tinctures, and
pills. They will not provide smokable marijuana.
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MAP posted-by: Matt