In first year, Pennsylvanians paid out $132M for medical pot
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — State officials say Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program provided the drug nearly 600,000 times during its first year of sales.
The Wolf Administration said Friday that more than 83,000 people have purchased medical marijuana at the 45 dispensaries that are up and running.
Statewide medical marijuana sales totaled $132 million in the past year.
More than $2 million in state taxes were paid by grower-processors.
About 1,000 doctors are currently approved to certify patients for the program.
Pennsylvania’s 2016 medical marijuana law permits its use for a list of conditions that include AIDS, autism, cancer, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Congress’ two top Democrats say they’ll use “every remedy available” to oppose President Donald Trump’s declaration of an emergency to shift billions of federal dollars into building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Friday they’ll take action “in the Congress, in the Courts, and in the public.” Trump says he needs to use emergency powers to protect the nation and expects legal challenges.

Beaver County authorities are looking for the suspect in a string of burglaries. Baden police say a man smashed his way into several homes over eight months, taking items that he sold to fund a drug habit. The latest burglary occurred just this week. Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano has the latest developments…

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Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto is digging in his heels over proposed ordinances restricting guns in the city. Speaking with reporters yesterday, Peduto said he’s prepared to defend the laws all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, should the legal battle over them go that far. Gun rights groups have promised to sue the city should leaders pass bills prohibiting certain types of semi-automatic rifles, ammunition and accessories. The ordinances also include a “red flag” law that would allow a judge to remove someone’s firearms if they are deemed a threat to themselves or others.

More than a dozen people are being accused of running an illegal gambling ring in western Pennsylvania. The state attorney general’s office says 13 people were arrested yesterday on charges of running an illegal gambling operation. The group is accused of operating a sports betting and lottery system for several years in Westmoreland county.

State Rep. Tedd Nesbit has waived his right to a preliminary hearing on drunken driving charges to the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas. According to the Sharon Herald the 51 year old Nesbit was charged Jan. 28th by state police with drunken driving, drunken driving with a blood alcohol level of at least .16 percent and summary traffic violations following a Dec. 8 traffic stop in Findley Township. All charges were waived to Common Pleas Court, where he will face a formal arraignment. That court date has yet to be scheduled, and a visiting judge will preside over the case.

In a video message, Governor Tom Wolf marked the anniversary of the Parkland shooting that sparked unprecedented civic engagement by students, parents, and safety advocates across Pennsylvania and the nation…

Recalling Pennsylvania’s own tragic mass shooting last year, Governor Wolf reaffirmed his appreciation for those who made their voices heard and his support for commonsense gun safety proposals.

Beaver Borough Council is making an offer to buy a church and make it Beaver’s municipal complex. Tuesday, council voted to offer 449-thousand-dollars to buy Trinity Anglican Church on Beaver Street. Officials would like to convert the building into a handicap-accessible one story municipal complex.