One of the biggest concerns for medical marijuana users is the high cost of the drug. Although cannabis is being used more and more frequently to treat a wide variety of conditions, medical marijuana is often not covered by insurance. Furthermore, the application for a medical marijuana ID card is $50 and must be renewed annually.
These costs can make it difficult to obtain pain-relieving medicine for patients who need it. However, there are marijuana dispensary discounts that can help offset the high cost of treatment. Read on to learn more about medical marijuana in Pennsylvania and how to seek dispensary discounts.
Medical Marijuana in PA
Cannabis products are illegal in Pennsylvania for recreational use, but any person carrying a medical ID card can purchase the drug. Medical marijuana dispensaries are located throughout the state. The count currently stands at 117 dispensaries state-wide.
The laws are also a bit more strict than in other states. While derivative products are legal for medical use, smoking flower is prohibited. However, it’s still sold for use in vaporizers.
In PA, cannabis-infused edibles are strictly prohibited. You’ll instead want to look for concentrates, vape products, capsules, topicals, tinctures, and other forms of the drug.
You’ll also only be able to purchase up to a 30-day supply at any one time. However, you can restock during the last 7 days of the previous 30-day allowance. Additionally, on any one day, you can purchase up to 14 non-dry herb items (as long as it doesn’t exceed your 30-day allowance).
When it comes to dry herb, this is usually defined as 4 ounces per month. You also cannot purchase more than 21 grams of the dry herb during a single visit.
How to Get a Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card
An approved physician must confirm that you qualify for medical marijuana treatment. You’ll then visit the state’s registry website and apply for your ID card. Proof of residency in PA and proof of identity are required when applying.
Qualifying Conditions
To get a patient certification (necessary before obtaining your medical ID card), there are 23 different conditions that would make a patient qualified. Some of them include autism, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, cancer, etc.
An approved physician can confirm that your affliction falls under one of these categories and issue your patient certification.
Dispensary Discounts in Pennsylvania
The Medical Marijuana Assistance Program aims to make treatment more accessible for those who demonstrate financial hardship. However, the program is still in its early stages, so looking for dispensary discounts is still quite worthwhile.
Dispensaries like The Apothecarium in Thorndale offer a wide range of discounts and customer rewards to help offset the cost of treatment.
Get Approved for a Medical Marijuana Card
Now armed with the knowledge of how to navigate the medical marijuana system in Pennsylvania, you can now contact an approved physician to begin your application process.
For more on medical marijuana dispensary discounts and cannabis news, check out our other blog posts.