Pennsylvania lawmakers are stepping up their scrutiny of the state’s medical cannabis program following investigative reports by Spotlight PA.
A recent measure aimed at increasing oversight of doctors involved in the program gained strong bipartisan support in the state House, moving forward in March.
Additionally, state Senator Rosemary Brown cited the newsroom’s reports while questioning officials from the Shapiro administration. Brown raised concerns about medical cannabis prescribing practices during a budget hearing in February, asking what measures were in place to prevent potential abuses.
Her concerns align with investigations revealing that some doctors approve a disproportionately high number of medical cannabis certifications. Additionally, the Pennsylvania Health Department has rarely barred physicians from joining the medical cannabis program, even when they had prior disciplinary issues.
State Representative Tim Twardzik used the Spotlight PA reports to advocate for stronger oversight powers for the state’s health department. He argued that clear authority is needed to ensure patients receive proper care.
Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis law requires patients to obtain a doctor’s certification to access marijuana from dispensaries. Doctors must complete a training course and register with the state to issue these approvals.
Twardzik’s measure would give the state’s health department greater control over participating doctors. In addition to limiting the number of certificates a physician can grant, the agency may enforce reporting requirements, impose probation, and demand supervision by another medical practitioner. The department would also have the authority to introduce additional regulations as needed to protect patient safety.
State Representative Arvind Venkat, a physician who doesn’t issue medical cannabis certifications, voiced support for the measure, emphasizing the need for better oversight. He acknowledged that addressing these concerns may be difficult for doctors, but necessary.
The proposal was unanimously approved by the House Health Committee as an amendment to a bill focused on cannabis lab testing, sponsored by state Representative Dan Frankel.
Frankel highlighted that while laboratories are required to test cannabis products, the health department currently lacks the power to oversee their operations and verify results. The amended bill was approved by the House and is now under review by the Senate Law and Justice Committee.
State Senate leaders have expressed interest in amending the state medical cannabis program. Joe Pittman, the Senate Majority Leader, acknowledged the need for a detailed review of the bill but noted that action on the measure is possible within the current legislative session.
Minority Leader Jay Costa voiced his caucus’s support, stating that stronger oversight would protect patients from unethical practices and contaminated products. Costa also reaffirmed his ultimate goal of legalizing recreational marijuana.
Governor Josh Shapiro has included recreational marijuana legalization in his budget proposal, despite previous efforts to pass such legislation having stalled.
It is important to ensure that legal marijuana markets adhere to all the set rules and that observed loopholes are addressed by the authorities. Firms like Cronos Group Inc. (NASDAQ: CRON) (TSX: CRON) operating in other regulated markets are therefore likely to applaud the increased oversight envisioned in the bills being considered in Pennsylvania.
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