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Senators Block Home Cultivation Amendment in Pennsylvania

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Senators Block Home Cultivation Amendment in Pennsylvania

The Republican controlled Senate in Pennsylvania voted last week to table an amendment concerning home cultivation of medical cannabis for approved patients. Medical cannabis patients would have been able to grow up to five plants at home for their personal use, following a doctor’s recommendations. Even though this amendment died, it didn’t stop the medical cannabis expansion bill from passing the Senate and making its way to Governor Tom Wolf’s (D) desk. 

HB 1024

While activists and amendment creator Senator Sharif Street (D) are disappointed in the removal of the home cultivation amendment, several improvements were still made to Pennsylvania’s medical cannabis program in HB 1024. Under this bill, several different measures made during the pandemic became permanent. Those include:

  • Allowing patients to purchase and possess up to three month’s supply of medical cannabis over the previous one month’s supply.
  • Allowing physicians to certify patients for cannabis use via telehealth.
  • Continuing curbside pick-up.
  • Lessening restrictions for industry workers, including people with past convictions.
  • Providing financial aid to low-income patients.  

Legalization

HB 1024 originally came from the House, who also added on the amendments mentioned above. When the bill moved onto the Senate, Senators removed the home cultivation amendment before approving the bill. Once the Senate approved HB 1024, it returned to the House for members to ratify it. Late last Friday, June 25th, the House ratified the updated bill and sent it to Governor Wolf for his signature. He is expected to sign it, as he has been advocating for cannabis reform and legalization since the beginning of the year. 

Senator Sharif Street did take to Twitter to discuss his disappointment over the removal of his amendment. However, with this bill’s approval, things are moving forward. Senator Street said in a recent interview, “Accessibility and cost have been a burden to patients for too long. We took a crucial step towards helping many access this medicine. We still have work to do.”

Should Governor Wolf sign HB 1024, we will update you with the latest.

Make sure to check back for more cannabis and hemp related news.