Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB835

Introduced

6/20/23

Refer

6/20/23

Refer

6/26/23

Caption

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in program, further providing for program established, for confidentiality and public disclosure, for lawful use of medical marijuana and for unlawful use of medical marijuana; in practitioners, further providing for practitioner registration, for practitioner restrictions, for issuance of certification and for duration; in patients, further providing for identification cards, for verification and for contents of identification card; in medical marijuana organizations, further providing for granting of permit, for relocation and for limitations on permits; in medical marijuana controls, further providing for electronic tracking, for grower/processors, for storage and transportation, for laboratory and for prices and providing for recalls; in dispensaries, further providing for dispensing to patients and caregivers and for facility requirements; in tax on medical marijuana, further providing for Medical Marijuana Program Fund; in Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, further providing for advisory board; in research program, further providing for establishment of medical marijuana research program, for medical marijuana research program administration and for approval; in academic clinical research centers and clinical registrants, further providing for legislative findings and declaration of policy, for definitions and for clinical registrants and providing for termination of contract; and, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for applicability.

Impact

If enacted, SB835 would significantly impact the structure and regulation of the medical marijuana program in Pennsylvania. By clarifying definitions and refining processes for licenses and permits, the bill aims to create a more efficient system for both medical marijuana organizations and patients. Additionally, it emphasizes patient access to certified marijuana while ensuring that dispensaries adhere to rigorous safety and consultation requirements. This could potentially lead to an increase in patients utilizing medical marijuana for therapeutic purposes, as well as enhance the legal framework governing its distribution.

Summary

SB835 is a legislative proposal aimed at updating and refining provisions of Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Act originally established in 2016. The bill proposes amendments in several areas, including definitions relevant to medical marijuana, the role and restrictions of practitioners, and the requirements for patients and caregivers. Notably, it seeks to streamline the certification process for patients, enhance tracking of medical marijuana practices, and set obligations for dispensaries regarding patient consultation and product safety.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB835 appears to be generally positive among proponents who see it as a necessary step towards optimizing the existing medical marijuana framework. Supporters argue that it will make the process more transparent and accessible for patients, fostering greater acceptance and integration of medical marijuana in healthcare. However, there may be concerns among some advocacy groups about the adequacy of protections for patients and the regulatory burdens placed on practitioners and organizations involved in the medical marijuana industry.

Contention

A point of contention within the discussions surrounding SB835 includes the balance between regulatory oversight and patient access. Critics may argue that while the bill aims to streamline processes, it could inadvertently limit the flexibility local dispensaries have to cater to specific community needs. Additionally, concerns may arise regarding the efficiency of the proposed tracking systems, potential pricing caps on medical marijuana, and how these measures could affect overall market dynamics within the state.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1083

Adding and amending provisions relating to farmer-growers by, in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in program, further providing for program established and for unlawful use of medical marijuana; in medical marijuana organizations, further providing for medical marijuana organizations, for permits, for granting of permit, for application and issuance, for fees and other requirements and for limitations on permits; in medical marijuana controls, further providing for electronic tracking, providing for farmer-growers and further providing for storage and transportation; in tax on medical marijuana, further providing for tax on medical marijuana; in academic clinical research centers and clinical registrants, further providing for clinical registrants; and, in miscellaneous provisions, further providing for zoning.

PA HB33

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in practitioners, further providing for practitioner registration; in medical marijuana controls, further providing for electronic tracking and for laboratory; and, in Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, further providing for advisory board.

PA HB2208

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in medical marijuana controls, further providing for electronic tracking and for laboratory; and, in Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, further providing for advisory board.

PA SB538

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in program, further providing for lawful use of medical marijuana and for unlawful use of medical marijuana.

PA HB549

In medical marijuana controls, further providing for grower/processors; and, in dispensaries, further providing for facility requirements.

PA SB773

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in medical marijuana organizations, further providing for application and issuance, for limitations on permits and providing for additional dispensary and grower/processor permits authorized, for application and issuance of additional permits and for limitations on other additional permits or licenses; and, in academic clinical research centers and clinical registrants, further providing for definitions.

PA HB1042

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in medical marijuana organizations, further providing for limitations on permits and providing for additional dispensary permits and for application and issuance of additional dispensary permits.

PA HB1881

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in medical marijuana organizations, providing for additional dispensary permits authorized; and, in administration, providing for available licenses.

PA HB982

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in program, further providing for program established.

PA HB915

In patients, further providing for identification cards; and, in dispensaries, further providing for dispensing to patients and caregivers.

Similar Bills

PA HB2210

Providing for adult use cannabis; regulating the personal use and possession of cannabis; establishing the Cannabis Regulatory Control Board; providing for powers and duties of the Cannabis Regulatory Control Board; establishing the Cannabis Business Development Fund; providing for social and economic equity, for regulation of cannabis business establishments, for enforcement and immunities, for laboratory testing, for advertising, marketing, packaging and labeling and for preparation, destruction and regulation of cannabis and cannabis-infused edible and nonedible products; imposing a sales tax and excise tax on cannabis and cannabis-infused edible and nonedible products; establishing the Cannabis Regulation Fund; providing for cannabis clean slate and for miscellaneous provisions; imposing penalties; consolidating provisions relating to medical marijuana; transferring certain powers and duties of the Department of Health to the Cannabis Regulatory Control Board; in driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs, further providing for driving under influence of alcohol or controlled substance and for authorized use not a defense; and making repeals.