Startups Take Advantage Of New Medical Marijuana Law With 'CannaBusiness'
By Trang Do
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With his signature on April 17, Governor Tom Wolf opened up access to medical marijuana for patients and a whole new industry in Pennsylvania.
"The interest here is definitely heightened," said Tyler Dautrich, Greenhouse Ventures co-founder. "It's a hot topic and everyone is trying to figure out how to get involved."
Philadelphia-based Greenhouse Ventures is hosting what it's calling a "canna-business" and medical research conference to educate people looking to set up dispensaries and grow operations.
"These are some of the top influencers in the industry that are coming here to Philadelphia to talk," Dautrich said. "So there's no better opportunity to learn how to make your next best move in this industry than learning from these guys firsthand."
Registered nurse Theresa White is one of the 250 people who've already signed up. She's hoping to open her own dispensary after seeing the benefits of cannabis use in her patients with chronic pain.
"They become more functionable, they can work a little bit more, be more active," White said. "As someone who has seen it firsthand, it's amazing."
Though demand is expected to be high, it will likely be close to two years before Pennsylvania begins issuing these business licenses. Currently a grower in Colorado, George Scott Cimochowski said he's eager to set up shop in the Keystone state.
"People in Pennsylvania want this medicine and I can't think of a place where I'd be more thrilled to distribute," he said.
The conference is set for Saturday at the Chemical Heritage Foundation in Olde City. A limited number of tickets are still available.