Medical marijuana in dry leaf form is being phased in at dispensaries across Pennsylvania beginning on Wednesday, starting with 16 locations and expanding to another 12, including Nature’s Medicines on North Atherton Street, on Aug. 8.
Dry leaf marijuana is available only for vaporization and it is illegal to smoke it, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said in a release.
‘The dry leaf form of medical marijuana provides a cost-effective option for patients, in addition to the other forms of medication already available at dispensaries,” Levine said. ‘It’s also important to talk with your doctor or the medical professional at the dispensary to see if the dry leaf form of medical marijuana is an option for you.’
Dispensaries currently and will continue to offer medical marijuana in pills, oils, liquids and topicals. Individuals with a medical marijuana ID card are encouraged to contact the dispensary prior to visiting to be sure the dry leaf form is available.
Patients also are reminded when transporting medical marijuana to keep it in its original container and to have their medical marijuana ID cards with them.
More than 52,000 patients have registered for the state’s medical marijuana program since it was approved in 2016. More than 30,000 have received ID cards to be able to visit and purchase from a dispensary. About 700 physicians have been approved as medical marijuana practitioners.
Nature’s Medicines opened on June 21 at 2105 N. Atherton St.
Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program is open to state residents under a practitioner’s care for for treatment of one of more than 20 serious medical conditions defined by state law.
