The commercial medical marijuana program in Pennsylvania is about to enter its second phase, more than doubling in size in the process, writes Sam Wood for the Philadelphia Inquirer.

The program will increase the number of cannabis producers from 12 to 25 and add 23 more dispensary operators. Pennsylvania will also launch a unique research effort running in parallel with the established commercial clinical investigations into marijuana and its sales to the public.

“From what I’ve seen and heard, there seems to be a high interest in doing research around pain management and as a replacement for opioids,” said John Collins, director of the state marijuana program.

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When the commercial program is fully up and running by late next year, the state will have 25 commercial companies working on the growing and processing of marijuana into tinctures and vaporizable oils. There will also be up to 150 commercial retail outlets selling those products to patients.

Sales began on Feb. 15, with demand quickly exceeding supply. But the initial shortages have now eased up. Now, two commercial producers ship medicinal products while nine retail outlets dispense them.

Read more about the second phase of the program in the Philadelphia Inquirer here.

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