First State Approves Cannabis to Treat Opioid Addiction
On Monday, May 14, 2018, Pennsylvania became the first state to add opioid addiction to its list of approved conditions for medicinal cannabis. In a press release from Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf (1), it was stated that the Department of Health developed temporary regulations to implement the recommendations of the Medical Marijuana Advisory Board. These temporary regulations took effect on May 17, 2018.
The temporary regulations expand the number of serious medical conditions to include neurodegenerative diseases, terminal illness, dyskinetic and spastic movement disorders, and opioid-use disorder. “By adding opioid-use disorder as an approved medical condition under the program, we not only give physicians another tool for treatment of this devastating disease, but we allow for research to be conducted on medical marijuana’s effectiveness in treatment,” Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said in the press release. “Only approved conditions under the law can be studied through our research program.”
The research program also received approval for eight universities to become Certified Academic Clinical Research Centers in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, signaling the first step toward clinical research to commence in the state. “The research component of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program sets it apart from the rest of the nation,” Governor Wolf said in the press release. “Today, medical research is so limited by the federal government that only a few doctors can even have access to medical marijuana. Pennsylvania’s premiere medical schools will be able to help shape the future of treatment for patients who are in desperate need not just here, but across the country.”
The eight approved universities include
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia;
- Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia;
- Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey;
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia;
- Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia;
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh;
- Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM), Erie; and
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia.
References:
Ep 26: Innovations in Drying and Curing to Protect Flower Quality
May 27th 2025In this latest installment of Noid Knowledge, we are joined by Dr. Allison Justice, Founder and CEO of the Hemp Mine, and David Sandelman COO, CTO & Co-Founder of Cannatrol. Here, Allison and David discuss innovations in cannabis drying and curing, focusing on the Cannatrol technology which controls vapor pressure, preserving trichome integrity, and flower quality. Additionally, Allison shares how the Cannabis Research Center and Coalition (CRC) is transition to an open-source model to support cultivators, researchers, and home growers.
The Rise of Indigenous Cannabis
June 30th 2025Tribal governments throughout the US are developing cannabis and hemp regulations to cultivate, process, and sell cannabis products to tribal members and non-members alike. Each tribe has its own approach to navigating this space, with independent indigenous entrepreneurs expanding opportunities outside the reservation.
Ep 25: Cannabis Quality Differentiation Beyond Cannabinoid Content
February 28th 2025In this latest installment of Noid Knowledge we are joined by Julie Kowalski, a leading mind in analytical chemistry and cannabis testing. Julie has arranged a very compelling symposium for Pittcon entitled Cannabis Aroma: Advances and Challenges in Determining and Commercializing Cannabis Product Quality Attributes. It is taking place on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, starting at 9:30 AM in room 209. The session features top notch speakers, including several previous guests of this show, and yours truly, discussing the next generation of quality assessment in cannabis.
Cannabis Pricing Crisis: Market Forces Shaping 2025 Trends
June 30th 2025The volatility of wholesale cannabis prices marked by large fluctuations and regional disparities highlight the inherent instability still present in the cannabis marketplace. Adapting to shrinking margins and increased competitions is putting pressure on operators, causing them to adopt cost-cutting technologies, expand into edibles and extracts, and secure long-term supply agreements. Understanding these evolving dynamics is essential for companies to adapt, compete, and thrive in the industry.
