Frequently Asked Questions
How do I go about getting medical marijuana (MMJ)?
It is essentially a 4-step process:
Call 484-602-4438 to make an appointment. We will usually get back to you within one business day.
Go online and register with the PA Marijuana Program. Click here for the link to the PA MMJ website.
Come see us for an initial office visit in order to get certified.
Go back to the PA website and pay the $50 registration fee. Your card will come to you in the mail usually in about 7 to 10 days. Once you have your card you may go to any MMJ Dispensary and buy your medicine.
What do I need for my office visit?
For your certification visit we will need:
Records from your physician (primary or specialist) or therapist that establishes that you have one of the 23 qualifying conditions.
New patient paper work. Click on the “Forms” button above.
Payment. The initial visit is $200. Unfortunately, none of the insurance companies will cover the MMJ related costs. We accept credit cards or debit cards. No checks please.
What records do you need at the time of my visit?
You will need to bring copies of your records from your doctor’s office which establish that you have one of the 23 “Qualifying Conditions” that will allow us to certify you for MMJ. Usually records from your most recent visit to your primary care physician will suffice or a recent visit to your specialist such as Pain Management, Oncologist, Neurologist, Back Surgeon, Psychiatrist,Therapist or Pediatrician to give a few examples. If you are hesitant to tell your doctor why you are requesting your records don’t worry. The federal HIPPA Laws require your doctor to provide a copy of records any time you request them. You do not have to tell them why, just that you want a copy of your records.
***Many of our patients bypass their doctor’s office and access their patient portal. We can accept medical records from a patient portal as long as your name and date of birth are included. Hint: Records from a cell phone or tablet are often MISSING these items. So it is best to use a desk top or lap top computer.
Where are you located?
We are currently “seeing” patient only by telemedicine. Book an appointment.
How much does Medical Marijuana cost?
For up-to-date prices visit your Dispensary website. The average monthly cost for many of our patients is running between $50 –150 depending on the medical condition.
How much does a visit cost?
The initial visit is $200. Each follow up visit costs $100.
How often do I need to follow-up?
The state requires a yearly re-certification visit. Since visits are not covered by health insurance we see most of our patients once a year for their annual renewal. However, all of our patients have different needs and some may request more frequent follow-up visits than others. Additionally, our patients are encouraged to contact us for any problems, questions or concerns.
Where are the dispensaries?
There are currently eight MMJ Dispensaries in the Lehigh Valley. They are:
Columbia Care
3025 W. Tilghman Street
Allentown, PA
484-838-7900
Keystone Canna Remedies
1309 Stefko Blvd.
Bethlehem, PA
484-408-6122
Bloc Dispensary
3650 Nazareth Pike, Unit 1
Bethlehem, PA
484-214-5400
Keystone Canna Remedies
3340 Hamilton Blvd
Allentown, PA
484-408-6122
Green Goods
3679 Rt 378, Unit 10
Bethlehem, PA
800-514-8532
Harvest
1809 MacArthur Road
Whitehall, PA
445-465-755
Ethos
2733 W. Emaus Ave.
Allentown, PA
610-674-4483
Beyond/Hello VYTAL OPTIONS
3812 Easton-Nasareth Hwy 7720 Main Street
Easton, PA Fogelsville, PA
610-829-9799 484-763-4200
What will my dose of Medical Marijuana be?
I will make some recommendations but the final selection of the dose and form of your Medical Marijuana will be up to you and the Pharmacist and Patient Care Representatives at the Dispensary. Here are some general principles to keep in mind:
For most patients “less is better”. As you increase the dose, feedback mechanisms may kick in which can counteract the beneficial effects.
Start with a low dose and increase it slowly every 5 - 7 days. Once you begin feeling the beneficial effects, stay at that dose for a while and see how you do.
What forms of medical marijuana will be available?
Pills, oil, tincture, liquid, vaping, and whole flower for vaping are currently approved. Topical lotions and creams are available. Whole flower for smoking is not approved by the state. There are no edibles at the Dispensary but there are products available from which you may make your own edibles.
What is the difference between forms of medical marijuana (MMJ)?
There are advantages and disadvantages to each form. The main difference is ease of use and how fast the medicine starts to work. Generally using a vape pen produces the quickest delivery of medicine into your bloodstream. The next fastest method is a sublingual spray of tincture or liquid. The slowest would be taking a pill. As a general rule, the faster the medicine is absorbed, the shorter the duration of effects.
I don’t want to get high. Will medical marijuana (MMJ) make me high?
Formulations of Medical Marijuana that contain mostly THC can be “psychogenic” and cause a sense of euphoria known as a “high”. However, most of our patients will quite likely opt for formulations that are higher in the chemical known as CBD. CBD has many beneficial effects without causing a high.
Will my health insurance pay for visits or for the (MMJ)?
No. Unfortunately no insurance providers pay for any of the office visits or the medicine.
Is it legal to drive while taking Medical marijuana
The short answer is “No.” Even if you are taking a form of Medical Marijuana that does not impair your driving, if you are pulled over by the police and undergo drug testing you will quite likely test positive and be subject to legal penalties. Avoid medical cannabis use that puts you or others at risk, such as using it while driving, at work, or in public places. Remember, you can still be arrested for cannabis use and penalties can be stiff. As with any other medication, such as opiates and benzodiazepines, it remains illegal to drive while “under the influence.”
Is Medical Marijuana (MMJ) addictive?
MMJ is about as addictive as caffeine. Interestingly, the withdrawal symptoms are about the same as well: Some patients experience mild to moderate headaches, some feel mild to moderate irritability or restlessness. For most, these symptoms fade quickly over about a week to 10 days.
If I start on Medical Marijuana (MMJ), can I take myself off of my opiates?
Many patients with chronic pain have become dependent on daily opioid therapy for their pain. Once started on MMJ many patients are able to cut back on their routine opioid use. We urge CAUTION when reducing or stopping chronic opioid therapy. Here are a few of our suggestions:
Do not stop opioids suddenly. It is better to taper off of opioids in order to avoid withdrawal. Many MMJ patients begin to cut back on their opioid use within the first 2 weeks of starting on MMJ treatment.
NEVER cut sustained release opioid medications, such as Oxycontin and MS Contin, in half. Cutting these and similar medications causes a sudden release of all of the opiate in a short time instead of over a longer period as they were designed to do and could be fatal.
However, plain percocet and vicodin may be cut in half to facilitate tapering your dose.
We recommend you inform your prescribing physician of your intention to reduce your dose. They should be happy to help guide you through the process.
Interestingly, MMJ treats most of opiate withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, muscle spasm, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, runny nose and sweating.
Finally, most patients are able to reduce their opiate dose by 50 to 80% and up to 40% of patients can wean themselves off of opiates completely!
What are the qualifying conditions?
Visit to the “Qualifying Conditions” page here on our website.