PA is taking applications over the next few months with the goal of having the system established by mid-2018. According to Health Secretary Karen Murphy, the permit applications for dispensaries will also be available January 17th. The first phase, beginning February 20th, will award 12 grower-processor permits and 27 dispensary licenses. The Health Department is dividing them up into six regions. The Southeastern region, where Philadelphia is located, will have the most dispensary licenses, with up to 10 dispensaries distributed throughout the eight counties in the region. Southwestern PA will house up to five dispensaries.
To receive a permit to open a dispensary, the initial application fee is $5,000, and applicants have to show that they have $150,000 on deposit with a financial institution. Once this is accomplished, these dispensaries will have to pay $30,000 for each location, with an annual renewal fee of $5,000. Like the growers, they also have to follow strict requirements and an electronic tracking system.
