The Pennsylvania Department of Health today announced the names and locations of companies that will be permitted to sell medical marijuana in the state.
The reveal came in a news release issued Thursday at 1:15 p.m..
Each of the 27 winners have the right to operate three storefronts. Though there were 81 dispensaries allowed by law, many applicants chose not to ask for additional outlets. As it stands, only 52 will open sometime next year.
“They’ll have the ability to put in for their second or third locations after their first is up and running,” said health department spokeswoman April Hutcheson.
All applicants had been required to ante up a $5,000 fee just to apply. In addition, the companies had to post a $30,000 deposit — refundable only to the losers — per desired dispensary. Each winner’s storefronts are required to be in different counties.
In Southeastern Pennsylvania, dispensaries are slated for Abington, Bensalem, Devon, Elkins Park, Fort Washington, Phoenixville, Plymouth Meeting, Philadelphia (4). Sellersville, Upper Darby, and Yeadon.
Last week, the state announced the winners of 12 permits to grow legal cannabis in the state and process it into medicine. Though industry experts have lauded the health department’s efforts as cautious and fair, many losing applicants have criticized the process for being opaque and biased. They have until Friday to make an appeal. Several have threatened lawsuits. Litigation filed by sore losers in Maryland and Florida has stalled the roll-out of the medical marijuana program in those states for years.
The health department on Wednesday said it remained on track to provide cannabis oil to patients in 2018.
The dispensaries will be forbidden to sell whole plant, flower, or edible products.
The Office of Medical Marijuana received 457 applications: 177 for growers and processors; and 280 for dispensaries.
In Southeastern Pennsylvania, the following companies were cleared to set up cannabis shops, pending criminal background checks.
(1249)
Leave A Reply