In Pennsylvania’s first year of selling medical marijuana to patients, the state saw sales total over $130 million.
This total has surpassed the sales total of several neighbor states. In comparison, Maryland reported sales of $95.4 million in its first year ending in November. Illinois reported $36.3 million, followed by Massachusetts ($25 million to $35 million) and New York ($5 million to $15 million).
It was in 2016 that Pennsylvania’s Governer Tom Wolf signed a bipartisan bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state. Sales began at a handful of dispensaries in February of last year.
According to Wolf, the first-year sales data “tells us that this program is working to help Pennsylvanians in need of this medication.”
“Patients are realizing the benefits and there has been steady, positive progress that I am pleased to report,” Wolf added.
The state’s medical marijuana program has grown to include more than 100,000 registered patients, 83,000 certified patients with identification cards, and nearly 1,000 certifying physicians.
“We do see, especially when compared with some of our neighboring states, Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program did very well in its first year,” said Nate Wardle, spokesman for the state Department of Health.
“Our goal for the next year and beyond is to increase the number of grower/processors and dispensaries operating, to register even more physicians and to continue the growth of our scientific, medically based program,” state Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine said in a statement.
Patients in Maryland who have one of 21 qualifying conditions can be certified by a doctor for $200 and buy a Pennsylvania medical marijuana identification card for $50.
