Pennsylvania bans dispensaries from joining cannabis festival

SCRANTON, Pa. — SCRANTON, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Department of Health has banned dispensaries from participating in one of the state's largest cannabis festivals.

A spokesperson for the department tells The Philadelphia Inquirer they issued the ban last week because the Pennsylvania Cannabis Festival in Scranton is not a "medically focused event."

Festival organizer Jeff Zick said he stands to lose tens of thousands of dollars after dispensaries paid more than $8,000 each to set up booths at the festival.

About 10,000 people are expected to attend the fifth annual free event held April 20.

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Dispensary owner Chris Visco said he believes there is a perception that "a bunch of stoners" were heading to Scranton, which is not the festival's intention.

Chris Goldstein, a spokesperson for the National Association for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the dispensary ban goes against the state's own interests.

"Part of the goal of the medical program has always been to get underground cannabis consumers into the dispensaries," he said.

Attorney Justin Moriconi said he believes medical marijuana permit holders should not pursue activities that could be construed as recreational events.

He said an event like the Cannabis Festival could taint the medical program, "trying to skirt it with a wink and a nod."

Zick said he believes they can work something out before the festival.

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Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, http://www.inquirer.com

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Associated Press