Dry Leaf Marijuana for Medical Use Now Approved for Distribution in Pennsylvania. Governor Wolf's administration, approved by Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine, has widened the products available for medical marijuana to now include dry leaf and flower forms. Medical marijuana was signed into Pennsylvania law in 2016 allowing marijuana oils and tinctures for those with a prescription. Patients had not been able to receive marijuana in its dry leaf, which could then be used to smoke versus the already processed oils. As of August 1st, that is no longer the case. Smoking marijuana is still illegal as patients are expected to vaporize the leaves into oils or extracts before use. Recently, Governor Wolf stated he doesn't "think Pennsylvania's actually ready for recreational marijuana." This, despite elected officials like PA Auditor General Eugene DePasquale heavily pushing legalization for recreational use. Multiple bills have been proposed this session in the state legislature for legalizing recreational marijuana but none are expected to pass this legislative session. States like Colorado are reaping the negative social consequences, especially among youth, of legalizing so-called "recreational" marijuana, which is still classified as a Schedule I substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. "Schedule I drugs are classified as having a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use of the drug or other substance under medical supervision." (Drug Enforcement Administration) |
