Pa. Doctors Can Now Register to Prescribe Weed

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Pa. doctors looking to provide patients with weed can now register with the state’s medical marijuana program.

Acting Secretary of Health and Physician General Dr. Rachel Levine made the announcement Wednesday.

“Since April 2016, we’ve been working to implement a patient-focused medical marijuana program for Pennsylvanians in desperate need of medication,” Levine said in a statement. “Many physicians treat these patients every day and understand the impact this medication could have on their treatment.” 

About 75 percent of physicians who participated in a recent Department of Health survey said they would sign up, according to the department.

Doctors must register and complete a four-hour training course before they’re approved to participate. Two continuing education providers, The Answer Page Inc. and Extra Step Assurance LLC, were approved to provide training.

The state’s medical marijuana program has slowly developed since Gov. Tom Wolf legalized medicinal cannabis in spring of 2016.

Last month, the Pa. Department of Health approved the first slate of medical marijuana grower and dispensary permits. At least four dispensaries are coming to Philly. The closest grower permits were issued in Bucks County.

The program is expected to be fully implemented by 2018.

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