Robert Celt
New Member
Pennsylvania has a long list of qualifications for whomever takes the job as the state's new medical marijuana director.
Besides a medical background, the job requires someone with a wide variety of experience working with different communities such as government, law enforcement, and community advocates.
In April, Governor Tom Wolf signed the medical marijuana bill into law, and the state health department isn't wasting any time finding someone to oversee the process.
There are a lot of requirements for the job, but some say there should be one thing on which they need to focus.
Medical marijuana in Pennsylvania is uncharted territory, and patient advocates hope the state chooses the right person to manage the process.
Medical marijuana advocate attorney Gabe Chorno said "so that the patients get what they want, and then understanding the regulatory process, and how to keep the cannabis safe, accessible, out of the hands of children and into the hands of patients that need it."
While it may be a budding industry in Pennsylvania, the state's health secretary says there is a lot to be learned elsewhere.
Dr. Karen Murphy said "we are consulting with other states that have medical marijuana programs that are successful. We're also learning from the lessons learned from their programs."
The list of requirements for director of the state's bureau of medical marijuana is extensive, a masters degree, a background in government developing regulations, and experience working with just about everyone affected by the drug from physicians and patients to police.
"We want them to be familiar with standing up programs, with prescribers, physicians, and be able to relate. The physicians are going to be incredibly important in this initiative," Dr. Murphy said.
As an advocate for patients, Chorno has other concerns about whomever takes the top job.
"The people that are staffed on the board whether they're obstructionists, or they're going to work together to actually provide medicine to patients that's going to be something yet to be seen," Chorno said.
"We clearly want to be sure, that this is run the correct way, and that it is run as a medical program, and that our patients who need medical marijuana are able to access it, in the way that the spirit of the legislation was crafted," Dr. Murphy said.
Dr. Murphy hopes to fill the position by July, but with a salary less than similar jobs in other states, some hope Pennsylvania finds the right person for the job.
"It really is an impressive skill set, and at $100,00 it will be interesting to see who applies for this job," Chorno said.
Some people may complain that government workers are overpaid, but considering other states pay well into six figures for a similar job, the salary range for the Pennsylvania position is relatively low. It pays up to $116,000 a year.
"I think we're going to take a look at the applications that we've received, we have had considerable interest in the position, so I'm confident we can get a really qualified candidate," Dr. Murphy said.
"This is sort of a young person's business. I mean if you look around the country, it really is suits and ties and older people, but I believe for the patient's sake, they really need to find the right person," Chorno said.
Pennsylvania Bureau of Medical Marijuana director job description.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Long List Of Qualifications For PA Medical Marijuana Director, But What Will It Pay?
Author: Mark Roper
Contact: Fox43
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Fox43
Besides a medical background, the job requires someone with a wide variety of experience working with different communities such as government, law enforcement, and community advocates.
In April, Governor Tom Wolf signed the medical marijuana bill into law, and the state health department isn't wasting any time finding someone to oversee the process.
There are a lot of requirements for the job, but some say there should be one thing on which they need to focus.
Medical marijuana in Pennsylvania is uncharted territory, and patient advocates hope the state chooses the right person to manage the process.
Medical marijuana advocate attorney Gabe Chorno said "so that the patients get what they want, and then understanding the regulatory process, and how to keep the cannabis safe, accessible, out of the hands of children and into the hands of patients that need it."
While it may be a budding industry in Pennsylvania, the state's health secretary says there is a lot to be learned elsewhere.
Dr. Karen Murphy said "we are consulting with other states that have medical marijuana programs that are successful. We're also learning from the lessons learned from their programs."
The list of requirements for director of the state's bureau of medical marijuana is extensive, a masters degree, a background in government developing regulations, and experience working with just about everyone affected by the drug from physicians and patients to police.
"We want them to be familiar with standing up programs, with prescribers, physicians, and be able to relate. The physicians are going to be incredibly important in this initiative," Dr. Murphy said.
As an advocate for patients, Chorno has other concerns about whomever takes the top job.
"The people that are staffed on the board whether they're obstructionists, or they're going to work together to actually provide medicine to patients that's going to be something yet to be seen," Chorno said.
"We clearly want to be sure, that this is run the correct way, and that it is run as a medical program, and that our patients who need medical marijuana are able to access it, in the way that the spirit of the legislation was crafted," Dr. Murphy said.
Dr. Murphy hopes to fill the position by July, but with a salary less than similar jobs in other states, some hope Pennsylvania finds the right person for the job.
"It really is an impressive skill set, and at $100,00 it will be interesting to see who applies for this job," Chorno said.
Some people may complain that government workers are overpaid, but considering other states pay well into six figures for a similar job, the salary range for the Pennsylvania position is relatively low. It pays up to $116,000 a year.
"I think we're going to take a look at the applications that we've received, we have had considerable interest in the position, so I'm confident we can get a really qualified candidate," Dr. Murphy said.
"This is sort of a young person's business. I mean if you look around the country, it really is suits and ties and older people, but I believe for the patient's sake, they really need to find the right person," Chorno said.
Pennsylvania Bureau of Medical Marijuana director job description.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Long List Of Qualifications For PA Medical Marijuana Director, But What Will It Pay?
Author: Mark Roper
Contact: Fox43
Photo Credit: None found
Website: Fox43
