Frequently Asked Questions

How do I go about getting a medical marijuana (MMJ)?

It is essentially a 4-step process:

  1. Call 484-602-4438 to make an appointment or schedule online by clicking on “Schedule Your Visit”. If you leave a message we will usually get back to you within one business day.

  2. Go online and register with the PA Marijuana Program. Click here for the link to the PA MMJ website.

  3. “See” us for an initial telemedicine visit in order to get certified.

  4. Go back to the PA MMJ website and pay the $50 registration fee. Your card will come to you in the mail usually in about 5 to 10 days. Once you have your card you may go to any MMJ Dispensary and buy your medicine.

how do i renew
my PA MMJ Card?

In order to renew your Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Card
or Certification you must complete TWO STEPS:

  • Keep an appointment with your Certifying Physician.

  • Pay the State $50 for your next card

    These TWO STEPS may be done in either order!

What do I need for my office visit?

For your certification visit we will need:

  1. Records from your physician (primary or specialist) or therapist that establishes that you have one of the 23 qualifying conditions.

  2. New patient paper work. Click on the “Forms” button above. Call or email us if you need the password.

  3. 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. Schedule Your Visit.

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 ten MMJ Dispensaries in the Lehigh Valley. They are:

 
 

Columbia Care

3025 W. Tilghman Street
Allentown, PA
484-838-7900

Apothecarium

1309 Stefko Blvd.
Bethlehem, PA
484-408-6122

Bloc Dispensary

3650 Nazareth Pike, Unit 1
Bethlehem, PA
484-214-5400

beyond/hello

3812 Easton-Nasareth Hwy
Easton, PA
610-829-9799

Trulieve

1809 MacArthur Road
Whitehall, PA
445-465-755

VYTAL OPTIONS

7720 Main Street
Fogelsville, PA
484-763-4200

Curaleaf

1801 Airport Road
Allentown, PA
610-596-8545

apothecarium

3340 Hamilton Blvd
Allentown, PA
484-408-6122

beyond/hello

3679 Rt 378, Unit 10
Bethlehem, PA
800-514-8532

Ethos

2733 W. Emaus Ave.
Allentown, PA
610-674-4483

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:

  1. For most patients “less is better”. As you increase the dose, feedback mechanisms may kick in which can counteract the beneficial effects.

  2. 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, capsules, oil, tincture, liquid, vaping cartridges are currently available. Topical lotions, ointments and creams are available. Whole flower is available but the State does not want patients smoking the flower, only vaping it. Pennsylvania recently added edibles in the form of what they call “Troches” (pronounced Tro-Keys) which can be soft like gummies or may be harder like lozenges. There are also 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 or vaping flower produces the quickest delivery of medicine into your bloodstream. The next fastest method is a tincture or liquid which goes under the tongue. 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, for daytime use many of our patients opt for formulations that have an equal amount of CBD in relationship to THC. CBD has many beneficial effects without causing a high and, in many cases, can buffer the “high” effects of THC if used in the proper ratio. For pediatric patients we always recommend starting with products which are much higher in CBD than THC.

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:

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. However, plain percocet and vicodin may be cut in half to facilitate tapering your dose.

  4. 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.

  5. Interestingly, MMJ treats most of opiate withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, muscle spasm, anxiety, agitation, insomnia, runny nose and sweating.

  6. 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.