The Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society applauds the selection of John J. Collins to be the first director of the state’s Office of Medical Marijuana. Collins starts work Monday to oversee the implementation of the medical cannabis law.

This appointment is good forward progress for our industry. It demonstrates a solid commitment to a successful industry by the Secretary of Health, Dr. Karen Murphy, and Gov. Tom Wolf.

The department is expected to release temporary regulations for grow/process businesses soon, the first aspect of the industry to be addressed. We hope to see the temporary regulations by the end of summer, With the governor and health secretary solidly behind safe access for the patients who need this medicine, this announcement represents as a solid commitment to meeting the timeline goals for the launch of the industry.

Tom Santanna

Harrisburg

The author is the director of government relations for the Pennsylvania Medical Cannabis Society.

---

Copyright ©2026— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)

---