Training Academy Hosts Medical Marijuana Workshop for DOC Staff

Parole field supervision staff attended the Medical Marijuana: What You Need to Know workshop at the DOC Training Academy on Jan. 14.

The training was conducted by John Collins, the director of medical marijuana at the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The training was coordinated by Parole Office of Field Services due to requests from agents in the field to learn more about medical marijuana. Approximately 100 individuals attended the training from parole, DOC, BCC, community providers and County Corrections and Probation Departments. Deputy Secretary of Parole Field Services Christian Stephens opened the workshop with an overview of the Commonwealth's Medical Marijuana Program. Collins reviewed topics such as the Medical Marijuana Act, the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders, how patients, caregivers, and physicians access the program, the production, distribution and acquisition of medical marijuana, regulatory requirements for product packaging, labeling and ID card production, and how research is provided for under the law.

Parole agents have been directed to treat medical marijuana as they would treat any other prescribed medication, and this training just further educated them on the topic.