The Medical Marijuana Act was signed into law on April 17, 2016, and amended by Act 44 of 2021 on June 30, 2021, which made a number of enhancements to the state’s program. The Act establishes a program for the use of medical cannabis in Pennsylvania by patients with serious medical conditions. Dispensing activities to certified patients and approved caregivers began on February 15, 2018.

Pennsylvania is the fifth-largest state in the country with a population of nearly 13 million people. From July 21, 2019 anxiety disorders and Tourette syndrome were added to the medical cannabis program’s list. State health officials reported that over 900,000 patients now are registered in the program and considering the state’s extensive list of 23 medical conditions that can be treated with medical cannabis products – including chronic pain – the patient base could reach 1,000,000.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) issues permits to approved medical cannabis growers/processors and dispensaries. Currently, 33 grower/processors are operational and actively growing and processing medical marijuana.

What cannabis business can you start in the Pennsylvania cannabis market?

On December 14, 2023, the Governor signed Senate Bill 773, amending the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act. The law comes into force on April 12, 2024. Amendments to the Act allow eligible independent grower/processors to apply for a dispensary permit, which would allow them to operate up to three retail locations. Additionally, eligible independent dispensaries can apply for a permit to grow and process marijuana.

Pennsylvania medical cannabis program totaled $58 million during the first year and medical cannabis sales in the state soared to more than $800 million in 2020, based on the state Department of Health data.

Medical cannabis sales in Pennsylvania ranged around $1.5 billion in 2022 and 2023, up from about $1.35 billion in 2021. This growth in total sales was driven by one of the highest number of registered medical cannabis patients and caregivers (942,231 as of July 2023) in the country and by dispensary count, which grew over 100% from 86 (2020) to 177 operational dispensaries (2023).

Pennsylvania Cannabis Market Infographics

Cannabis Vertically Integrated Business Plan Sample, Pennsylvania

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