All eight applications for medical marijuana research programs that partnered growers and universities were rejected by the Pennsylvania Department of Health today.

This includes the application of Cansortium. Cansortium, a medical marijuana company out of Florida, was selected as a research partner by the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. If approved, Cansortium and the other research partners, would have been allowed to open up to six dispensaries. Cansortium had plans to open a dispensary at the former Exxon station at East 7th and Fayette Street.

From Philly.com:

Pennsylvania’s ambitious plan to become the national center for medical marijuana research just can’t get off the ground.

In the latest setback for the much heralded program, the state Department of Health on Wednesday rejected the applications of all eight marijuana growers who had planned to partner with the state’s medical schools. Regulators said the applications were riddled with mistakes and were missing information.

The Wolf Administration said it would open a second round of applications in early 2019. A statement issued by the Department of health said none of the applicants — which include some of the nation’s most successful cannabis cultivators — “met the rigorous requirements of the competitive application review process.”

Several industry experts said the rejections could hold up research indefinitely.

In a prior article MoreThanTheCurve.com reported that Cansortium hoped to be open on Fayette Street within six months of receiving approval. That obviously will now be delayed.

More to come.