Pennsylvania became the 24th US state to legalize marijuana after Governor Tom Wolf passed the law early this week, according to CNN Money. The medical marijuana program will be implemented over the next 18 to 24 months.

Wolf, a Democrat, mentioned in a statement that the measure “will improve the quality of life for patients and their families throughout Pennsylvania” by providing them access to a medical alternative.

A total of 150 dispensaries will be duly authorized to sell the weed to ailing patients, as long as they have a proper prescription from doctors. The state will extract 5 percent excise tax on every marijuana purchase.

Under the law, cannabis will be prescribed to people with ‘serious medical conditions’ such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord damage, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease, glaucoma, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Citizens in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington state, and Washington D.C. have legalized the substance for recreational use, and 20 US states decriminalized possession of tiny amounts of the said drug. Despite this gratifying victory, marijuana remains as a contraband drug under the Federal Law, and many other states are hesitant to approve medical marijuana.  Gianna Francesca Catolico, INQUIRER.net