Oct. 31, 2023
WARREN — Rep. Kathy L. Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), Republican chair of the House Health Committee, announced a bill to update Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana permitting program.
Senate Bill 773 will provide additional permits to independent medical marijuana grower/processors and dispensaries.
“Despite my ‘yes’ vote in committee, I have some serious concerns with this bill,” Rapp said. “First, this bill is touted as a ‘small business’ bill, and while it certainly will help independent grower/processors who are struggling to sell their product to dispensaries, this bill does not create an open market. Second, why are we not requiring these entities to locate dispensaries where there are currently none? If these new dispensaries open in concentrated markets like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, what exactly are we accomplishing? Finally, under this bill, there will be only a one- or two-year restriction on change of control transactions. Big conglomerates will attempt to get control of these permits. I feel this bill needs to be debated on the House floor extensively before it will be ready to become law.”
Senate Bill 773 passed the House Health Committee by a vote of 20-5. It now heads to the full House for consideration.
The committee also passed a bill to remove state requirements that exceed federal laws related to source plasma donation centers.
House Bill 1795 also heads to the full House for consideration.
Representative Kathy Rapp
65th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jake Gillespie
717.772.9834
RepRapp.com /
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