What Do I Need to Complete My PA Cannabis Purchase?

Pennsylvania requires all medical marijuana users to display their valid medical ID cards. To obtain a card, you must first register through Pennsylvania's Medical Marijuana Registry. Afterward, you must visit a licensed physician who will certify that you have a qualified medical condition. Once approved, there is a fee to obtain the card. Once it arrives in the mail, you are able to take the card to a dispensary and purchase a legal supply of medical cannabis products. When entering the dispensary, you will need to display not only your medical marijuana card but also a valid government-issued ID card, such as a driver's license.

Can Anyone Go to a Dispensary in PA?

Only medical marijuana patients may enter dispensaries in Pennsylvania, with one exception: Pennsylvania state-licensed caregivers of medical marijuana patients can legally obtain cannabis from a dispensary on their behalf. When registering with the Medical Marijuana Registry, patients can designate up to two individuals as caregivers able to obtain their cannabis prescription. Caregivers can be anyone of age but are most often parents or spouses of the patient. If a patient is under the age of 18, registered caregivers must be over the age of 21. Caregivers must be residents of Pennsylvania and have a valid state-issued ID with their current address. They must submit to a criminal background check, be found clear of any criminal history involving sales or possession of narcotics in the past five years, and complete the registration process on the Patient and Caregiver Registry. This registry authorizes caregivers to obtain medical marijuana from a licensed dispensary on behalf of the patient.

How Can I Pay for My Medical Marijuana?

Due to the ongoing discussion of cannabis at the federal level, it may only be purchased using cash; credit and debit cards are not allowed. However, many dispensaries aim to help their customers by utilizing cashless ATMs or installing fully functioning ATMs that allow cash withdrawals. When in doubt, call the dispensary ahead of time and confirm the forms of payments that they accept.

What Medical Marijuana Products Can I Purchase?

Different dispensaries will offer different types of products to their customers. At Zen Leaf, we offer a wide variety, including: flower , vape products , concentrates , edibles , topical products , oral products , and transdermals . No matter what type of product you are looking for, we have a broad selection to meet your needs. You'll experience the medical relief you need with a product that is specially selected for your condition.

Can You Travel with Medical Marijuana in PA?

For most travelers, medications are just another item on their packing list. While this may seem as if it should be the case with your cannabis prescription, it is recommended that you do not travel with any medical marijuana unless you are staying within the state. It is also important to avoid consuming it in public and refrain from operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. If you are traveling outside of Pennsylvania, keep your cannabis at home.

How Much Medical Marijuana Can You Buy at a Dispensary in PA?

The current law allows the purchase of up to a 90-day supply of medical marijuana at dispensaries. Each location is required to log the purchase in a computer network that is accessible by all Pennsylvania dispensaries. The controls function similarly to those for allergy medications that are purchased from a licensed pharmacist. The transaction is logged and will not allow the purchase of additional medical marijuana until an appropriate amount of time has passed. Pennsylvania law is much like the laws in other states in that it only specifies the amount of cannabis you can purchase in a given time period. As mentioned, you can purchase a 90-day supply and cannot purchase more once you have reached your limit. However, there is no limit to the number of times you can visit any given dispensary in one day, nor is there a limit to the number of dispensaries you visit. The computerized network will simply limit your purchased amount.

Can You Grow Medical Marijuana in PA?

It is illegal to grow marijuana for personal or medical use in Pennsylvania. Those who do and are subsequently caught could face criminal charges that may include intent to deliver cannabis. Charges could be filed for as little as one plant, with charges compounding for increased amounts.

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Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Dispensary Guide

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Dispensary Guide

By Danyal Swan June 29, 2023

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Medical marijuana legislation was passed in Pennsylvania on April 6, 2016. By February 2018, dispensaries were equipped to make medicinal cannabis available to those with qualifying medical conditions who obtained a prescription from a licensed physician. While the legislation provided greater access to the plant's many health benefits, there are still several restrictions in place.

Meidcal marijuana is still heavily regulated despite many states pushing for more progressive policies. Although Congress moved forward with legislation to decriminalize cannabis at the federal level in 2022, it has only passed the House. With regulations in place to control the sale and use of cannabis, it is understandable that those who have never visited a dispensary want to be certain regarding the dos and don’ts. This guide to medical marijuana laws in Pennsylvania can help you make sense of the purchasing process.

What to Consider Before Visiting a Dispensary in Pennsylvania

Shopping at Zen Leaf Dispensary in Philadelphia, PA

If you've never visited a Pennsylvania dispensary, there are a few things you should consider before you visit for the first time. Researching medical marijuana and dispensaries before you shop for the first time is a great way to build your confidence in your medical purchasing. With these frequently asked questions, you can learn more about what to expect from your dispensary visit and feel more comfortable when it's time to shop.

What You Should You Expect at a First Visit to a Dispensary in PA

Your first visit to a dispensary will feel much like visiting a pharmacy. You will need to have your medical marijuana ID card with you. Before shopping, you must check in and show your medical card along with a valid government-issued ID. You will then be asked to fill out some patient forms and offered an optional consultation. Consultations are completed with medical professionals who can answer any questions you may have.

What Type of Cannabis Should You Purchase

There are a variety of medical marijuana products available in the market in PA, and finding the one that is right for you should be determined by the symptoms you are seeking to treat. Different types of cannabinoids, like CBD, THC, CBN, and their derivatives, may be more effective in treating conditions like anxiety, pain, or side effects of treatments for other medical conditions such as radiation therapy for cancer. Similarly, different delivery methods, like vaporizers, edibles, and dried flower, may be more suitable for your condition than others.

Medical Marijuana Card Requirements to Shop at a PA Dispensary

Pennsylvania requires patients prescribed medical marijuana to purchase products from a state-certified medical dispensary. After you complete your physical examination and receive your medical marijuana ID Card, you may take it to a certified local dispensary throughout the state and purchase the products you need.

How to Find the Right Medical Marijuana Dispensary

Just as there is more to medical marijuana than smoking dried flower, there is more to choosing a dispensary than knowing what type of products are sold there.

Several key components to choosing the right dispensary include:

Atmosphere - The atmosphere offered at a dispensary can make a difference in your experience. From the art on the walls to the music in the background to any events that they host, a dispensary that shows they care about customer experience could mean the right choice for you.
Knowledgeable staff - With a variety of products to choose from, each formulated for different medical conditions, getting the right product is essential to obtaining the relief you need. A staff that knows the ingredients of a product and how each ingredient impacts patients can put any visitor's mind at ease.
Variety of products - Dispensaries should offer a variety of ways to consume the medical marijuana you need. Whether you want a tasty edible, smokeable flower, or a number of concentrates and extracts, the variety of products available can help users find just what they need.
Discount or reward programs - Not every dispensary will do so, but a reward program or discount program may be in place at your local PA dispensary. Whether they choose to feature sales around special occasions or holidays or have simply instituted a monthly incentive, the best dispensaries are known to provide top-quality products at affordable prices.
Patient care - Most people associate cannabis with the effects of THC, but there are a wide variety of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds derived from the plant that must function together to provide beneficial effects. As with any medication, you may have questions about the various compounds, product types, their uses, and more, and an excellent patient care program is essential in a quality dispensary.

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Purchasing FAQs

Once you have determined the right Pennsylvania dispensary for you, it is time to head to the dispensary and make a purchase. However, here are a few things to know before you check out.

These are just a few of the considerations you should take into account when choosing the dispensary that’s right for you.

At Zen Leaf, we offer our customers a professional and knowledgeable staff that focuses on the needs of patients by offering top-quality products in a variety of consumable forms.

Zen Leaf: The Best Dispensaries in PA

Zen Leaf dispensaries are staffed with highly knowledgeable professionals who want to help you get the relief you need for your medical condition. With a wide variety of medical marijuana products to choose from, our staff can walk you through the various consumption options, strains and terpene profiles and help you understand how each element plays a role in your medical treatment.

We take pride in being a top rated Pennsylvania medical marijuana dispensary brand, and we invite you to one of our many locations throughout the state to find out why.

References:

Getting Medical Marijuana. PA.GOV, https://www.pa.gov/guides/pennsylvania-medical-marijuana-program/
Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Program.” Pennsylvania Department of Health, 2023, https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/programs/Medical%20Marijuana/Pages/Medical%20Marijuana.aspx

Danyal Swan

Author

Digital Content Manager for MÜV Florida and Zen Leaf Dispensaries. A cannabis connoisseur with a passion for explaining the miraculous possibility of the plant, Swan began her journey with cannabis as a recreational user and quickly realized its positive impact on her depression and severe anxiety. She joined the cannabis industry as Receptionist and MedTender and witnessed first-hand the immense potential of the plant for a wide variety of ailments, deepening her passion for alternative medicine. Swan is dedicated to self-education on the plant and sharing its potential with all. She holds a Journalism degree from the University of Iowa.