PA Names Director Of New Med Marijuana Program
by Tony Romeo
HARRISBURG (CBS) -- As Pennsylvania's new medical marijuana program takes shape, the man who will lead the office begins his duties on Monday.
In a teleconference with reporters, Pennsylvania's Health Secretary Karen Murphy announced the hiring of John Collins to be the director of the Office of Medical Marijuana.
Collins actually joined the Health Department in April but prior to that, he served as chief operating officer for a firm that prepared radioactive materials for nuclear medicine procedures.
"I truly believe my experience, as outlined by Dr. Murphy, managing medical products and service organizations in heavily regulated industries provides for a perfect fit for the requirements of overseeing the implementation of Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program," said Collins.
Collins was chosen from a field of 123 candidates.
Roll-out of Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program, signed into law in April, is expected to be complete by early 2018.