Pa. set to become 1st state to add autism as qualifying condition for medical marijuana

Pennsylvania is set to become the first state in the country to explicitly stipulate autism as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.That will happen if the amended version of the bill, a "functional medical marijuana bill," passes the Senate and gets a signature from the governor."Functional" states list out the ailments for which doctors can prescribe medical marijuana. In addition to autism, the House-passed version of the bill lists 16 other eligible conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and cancer.Rollout of this legislation would include a 4-hour course for doctors on the latest scientific research on medical marijuana, plus an application for physicians to become registered to prescribe the drug.The bill passed by the House has already passed the Senate. Since there were so many amendments made to the bill, it has to go through another Senate vote where it is expected to pass.Gov. Wolf has said he will sign it.

Pennsylvania is set to become the first state in the country to explicitly stipulate autism as a qualifying condition for medical marijuana.

That will happen if the amended version of the bill, a "functional medical marijuana bill," passes the Senate and gets a signature from the governor.


"Functional" states list out the ailments for which doctors can prescribe medical marijuana. In addition to autism, the House-passed version of the bill lists 16 other eligible conditions, such as Parkinson's disease and cancer.

Rollout of this legislation would include a 4-hour course for doctors on the latest scientific research on medical marijuana, plus an application for physicians to become registered to prescribe the drug.

The bill passed by the House has already passed the Senate. Since there were so many amendments made to the bill, it has to go through another Senate vote where it is expected to pass.

Gov. Wolf has said he will sign it.