A Pennsylvania Senate bill that would overhaul oversight of the state’s medical marijuana program is scheduled for a final-passage vote today, more than three months after the chamber initially rejected the measure.
Senate Bill 49 is listed under “Bill on Final Passage” on the Senate’s September 28 calendar. The chamber is scheduled to convene at 1 p.m. ET.
The legislation, sponsored by Senator Daniel Laughlin (R) and a bipartisan group of lawmakers, would establish an independent Cannabis Control Board and transfer oversight of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program from the Department of Health to the new agency.
The seven-member board would include three gubernatorial appointees, individuals with experience in law enforcement, medicine and addiction, and cannabis matters, along with one appointee from each of the four legislative caucus leaders.
The current version of the bill would also establish new marijuana delivery and distribution licenses.
Under the proposal, the Cannabis Control Board would initially issue 15 third-party transporter permits allowing companies to deliver medical marijuana on behalf of dispensaries to registered patients and caregivers. The board could issue up to 15 additional transporter permits each year. Deliveries would be limited to private residences and could occur between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
The measure would separately authorize up to three warehousing and distribution permits for businesses transporting and storing marijuana between licensed organizations.
SB 49 has already experienced an unusual path through the Senate.
On June 10, senators rejected the bill 23-27 on final passage. Minutes later, the Senate voted 29-21 to reconsider the failed vote, keeping the legislation alive. Senator Joe Pittman then successfully moved for the bill to go over in its order rather than immediately holding another final-passage vote.
Today’s calendar places the same version of the measure, Printer’s Number 1805, back before senators for final passage.
The bill also contains substantial provisions governing hemp-derived cannabinoids. Products intended for human consumption containing more than 0.4 milligrams per container of combined total THC and other cannabinoids with similar effects would be excluded from the legislation’s definition of hemp and instead fall within its definition of cannabis.
If approved by the Senate, SB 49 would advance to the Pennsylvania House for consideration.
The legislation would take effect 30 days after becoming law.
