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FakeNoose

(35,690 posts)
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 11:25 AM Jan 2023

Pa. bill would loosen rules on prescribing medical marijuana

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-state/2023/01/29/pa-bill-would-loosen-rules-on-prescribing-medial-marijuanallow-doctors-to-determine-if-patients-should-be-allowed-to-use-medical-marijuana-regardless-of-their-ailment/stories/202301290142

HARRISBURG – Two lawmakers have announced plans for legislation that would strip the state’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board of one of its main functions – determining what serious medical conditions entitle patients to legally use marijuana products.

Under the proposal, patients would be entitled to use marijuana for any medical condition if their doctors determine they could benefit from it. In a cosponsor memo, Sen. Mike Regan, R-Cumberland, and Sen. James Brewster, D-Allegheny, said that “elected officials and bureaucratic staffers should not be deciding what ailment qualifies an individual to use medical marijuana.”

The proposal from Mr. Regan and would be similar to the medical marijuana rules in Oklahoma. The Marijuana Policy Project says almost 10% of Oklahoma’s population were medical marijuana patients in 2021. If that percentage were repeated in Pennsylvania, there’d be about 1.2 million medical marijuana patients.

The new proposal comes as Pennsylvania is becoming increasingly surrounded by states where any adult can legally obtain marijuana but efforts to relax the state’s marijuana laws for adult recreational marijuana use have been stymied by opposition from Republican lawmakers. While Democrats are poised to take the majority in the state House and could advance a marijuana legalization bill, Republicans hold the majority in the Senate.


- more at link -

This is a good idea, am I right?



9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Pa. bill would loosen rules on prescribing medical marijuana (Original Post) FakeNoose Jan 2023 OP
This is a good idea, am I right? YES!!! n/t RKP5637 Jan 2023 #1
If they would just legalize it they wouldnt need this medical workaround Blues Heron Jan 2023 #2
It's a step in the right direction EYESORE 9001 Jan 2023 #3
There are steps to full legalization bucolic_frolic Jan 2023 #4
Yes but the online marijuana doctors will stand to lose FakeNoose Jan 2023 #5
Anything to start to loosen the regulations is good MiHale Jan 2023 #6
It's already simple to get. BlueTsunami2018 Jan 2023 #7
You pay $250 for the annual credential - the MM card FakeNoose Jan 2023 #8
It's cheaper than that. You have to know where to go. BlueTsunami2018 Jan 2023 #9

Blues Heron

(6,133 posts)
2. If they would just legalize it they wouldnt need this medical workaround
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 11:31 AM
Jan 2023

They used to have medical booze too - back in prohibition days. Then they legalized it and medical booze went the way of the Dodo. This is similar. legalize it and you wont need any prescriptions.

EYESORE 9001

(27,517 posts)
3. It's a step in the right direction
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 11:36 AM
Jan 2023

They could just legalize recreational cannabis, which is an even bigger step in the right direction.

bucolic_frolic

(47,002 posts)
4. There are steps to full legalization
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 11:38 AM
Jan 2023

First, lawmakers extended families need to deploy venture capital in the venture.

Second, judges' families need to sign on.

Once everyone is primed to make a fortune, all will flow smoothly. The period of prohibition will be over.

Just an opinion.

FakeNoose

(35,690 posts)
5. Yes but the online marijuana doctors will stand to lose
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 11:58 AM
Jan 2023

... a shit-ton of money once that happens. They're the ones donating to the Repuke Senators who are fighting full legalization. But eventually your scenario will play out, when the online MM docs get promised a cut of the profits.

MiHale

(10,784 posts)
6. Anything to start to loosen the regulations is good
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 12:10 PM
Jan 2023

Any condition…as directed by your doctor…taking the state out of it? Great!
Legal recreation cannabis would not be far behind.

FakeNoose

(35,690 posts)
8. You pay $250 for the annual credential - the MM card
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 01:36 PM
Jan 2023

Then you pay a licensed doctor (up to an additional $250) for an online consultation to get the "prescription." Then you buy the medical marijuana or PCB oil from the recommended vendor. This is all done by credit card and it rules out anyone who can't afford this procedure, as well as anyone without a permanent residence, internet access, or credit card.

It's not a simple process, and a lot of Pennsylvanians are excluded from getting medical marijuana.

Did you ever stop to think about this: what is the state doing with the names of people who apply for the Medical Marijuana cards?

BlueTsunami2018

(4,006 posts)
9. It's cheaper than that. You have to know where to go.
Mon Jan 30, 2023, 02:05 PM
Jan 2023

I have a bunch of friends with the card. It costs like $305 total at the beginning for the card and the doctor “visit” and it’s $75 a year to renew, $50 if you’re a veteran.

You can get some great deals at the dispensaries too. There are always sales going on.

I don’t know what they’re doing with the names. That’s why I don’t have one. I just order my stuff online from California.

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