Health officials in Pa. face scrutiny over weak oversight of medical marijuana doctors
(link) https://www.spotlightpa.org/news/2022/12/pa-medical-marijuana-cards-telemedicine-doctor-oversight/
During the most recent advisory board meeting in November, health department officials faced scrutiny over the rigor of telemedicine appointments for medical marijuana card approvals and advertising by medical marijuana businesses. Daniel Kambic, a physician and board member, referred to the current situation as “a little sloppy,” although it wasn’t clear whether he was specifically referring to certifications themselves, the department’s oversight, or both. “I think we need to tighten it up a little bit,” Kambic said.
Each year, hundreds of thousands of patients must receive approval from a physician if they want to legally use cannabis in the state. Some patients connect to these physicians through largely unregulated third-party companies. Spotlight PA’s reporting revealed that some of these businesses make misleading or incorrect medical claims, benefit from unequal advertising rules, and allegedly tie a doctor’s payment to patient approvals.
Department of Health officials have repeatedly insisted the agency doesn’t have oversight of third-party companies that help patients schedule appointments with doctors. But they’ve also provided few details about how the department ensures that the state’s more than 1,800 approved physicians review a patient’s available medical records and provide appropriate consultations.
- more at link -
I haven't purchased one of these MM licenses myself, however several of my retired friends have told me how easy it is to get one. You basically have a zoom-call with a physician you've never met in person, tell them you have "anxieties," and pay $250 to get the MM license. Once you have that license, you can mail-order your marijuana products (mostly CBD oils) from any of the approved PA vendors. The entire process is done with a wink and a nod, and it's an extremely profitable sham for the entities involved.
I have no doubts that medical marijuana is called for in certain situations - for example someone dying of cancer. Or someone who is unable to take standard pain medications. It just seems that a lot of this is a sham.
= new reply since forum marked as read
... but all this fake concern over "medical marijuana" is just a money grab, nothing more.
we are right across the river from Jersey that has legalized recreational just this year, although I think it is still being set up. I have been hearing news stories (since we cover the South Jersey media market) about how they are setting up "adult lounges" for partaking because they realize many cannot smoke "at home" (and that especially includes those who are in rentals). The reports were mentioning possible liability issues with those lounges (not unlike bars)...
I know Jersey was ahead of us with the MM (which had been put in place under Christie) so it's been interesting following how they have handled it along the way... particularly since our local news seems to spend more time covering Trenton than Harrisburg. 
