Pennsylvania’s full legislature has passed legislation to allow all licensed marijuana growers and processors to sell marijuana directly to patients.
Filed by Senator Chris Gebhard, Senate Bill 773 would allow all licensed marijuana growers to receive a dual license that also allows them to operate a dispensary where they can sell marijuana and marijuana products. The measure was approved by the full Senate in September in a 44 to 3 vote, and it was approved by the Assembly 114 to 49 last month.
Given the bill was amended slightly in the Assembly, the Senate voted yesterday to concur with the changes made in the Assembly, allowing it to officially be sent to the desk of Governor Josh Shapiro. The governor must sign or veto legislation within 12 days of the day of transmittal, or it becomes law without his signature.
Under Pennsylvania’s current medical marijuana law, no more than five of the state’s 25 licensed marijuana growers and processors can also operate a dispensary, with the rest required to sell their product to a dispensary operated by someone else. Senate Bill 773 would change this to allow all licensed growers to also operate a dispensary, if they so choose.
The measure is supported by Senate Majority Leader Jay Costa, who says that the current law allows for a “monopoly-type situation with out-of-state, multi-state organizations coming in to the detriment of these independent grower-processors”.
You can find the full text of Senate Bill 773 by clicking here.
