The Pennsylvania Department of Health has announced the launch of a new medical cannabis research program along with the first three authorized clinical registrants that will be working with approved universities to study the 21 qualifying conditions for medical marijuana use in the state.
The first three clinical registrants are:
- PA Options for Wellness, Inc., affiliated with Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey
- Agronomed Biologics LLC, affiliated with Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia
- MLH Explorations, LLC, affiliated with Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
“Pennsylvania is on the forefront of clinical research on medical marijuana,” says Secretary of Health Dr, Rachel Levine. “This research is essential to providing physicians with more evidence-based research to make clinical decisions for their patients. It is the cornerstone of our program and the key to our clinically-based, patient-focused program for those suffering with cancer, PTSD, and other serious medical conditions.”
The research will be conducted in accordance with rules established in 2018 by HB2477, also known as Act 43.
The Department of Health will meet with the three clinical registrants and all eight academic clinical research centers in July to discuss the research and how they anticipate the results might benefit patients.
The program allows for a total of eight clinical registrants who must each hold grower, processor, and dispensary permits and have a research contract with one of the eight research centers.
Pennsylvania currently has more than 106,000 active certifications and around 1,600 physicians participating in the state’s medical cannabis program.
