Record Numbers of Pennsylvanians Are Discovering the Benefits of Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program

Over 1 Million Patients Have Been Certified Across the State to Use Medical Marijuana to Treat Anxiety, PTSD, Chronic Pain, and More

In the latest report on Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program (PAMMP), the PA Department of Health announced that more than 1 million patient certifications have been issued to individuals seeking marijuana for relief from serious medical conditions — a number that continues to rise across the state.

“When Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Program started, there were a significant number of patients interested in treatment for conditions like chronic pain. But as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re seeing remarkable shifts in patients seeking medical marijuana to help with anxiety-related disorders as well,” said Dr. Bryan Doner, Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Compassionate Certification Centers (CCC). “Patients are reporting tremendous results,” he added. Studies around medical marijuana treatments have shown that medical marijuana can help alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, including racing thoughts, restlessness, and sleep-related issues. Medical marijuana has also been shown to be effective in helping patients relieve physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as nausea and muscle tension.

Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana: A Safe and Legal Alternative to Recreational Marijuana

A leading provider of medical marijuana certifications in Pennsylvania, Doner’s CCC has focused its mission on making the process of accessing the MMJ program easier, as well as providing patient support and education. To date, the organization has certified more than 100,000 patients across Pennsylvania through in-office and virtual telehealth appointments on its website.

“Our goal has always been to educate, support, and remove any stigma associated with MMJ certifications. We pride ourselves on transparency, patient support, and quality of service, and are proud to be ongoing advo- cates for the PA MMJ community and patients,” said Dr. Doner. As the program grows and more awareness and education are spread, the interest around medical marijuana has spiked in recent years. And thanks to organizations like CCC, registering and taking advantage of Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program is a simple and convenient process.

What Are the Benefits of Becoming a PA Medical Marijuana Patient?

One major benefit to registered patients is safety. While black-market marijuana products lack quality control, which means that those products can be of poor quality, or worse, laced with other, more dangerous substances such as fentanyl, the state’s medical marijuana program offers patients legal access to a range of lab-tested, high-quality marijuana products.

The state requires that medical marijuana be grown, extracted, and sold by state-certified providers who are held to stringent standards for product safety and quality, and testing procedures are mandated and products must meet specific guidelines for packaging, labeling, and distribution. The result? A safer, higher-quality product for patients.

But risk aversion is not the only reason to look into medical marijuana for treatment of specific medical conditions.

In addition to quality and safety standards, Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program offers patients a range of products that can meet specific medical needs. These include products that are THC- or CBD-dominant, which allows patients to more accurately tailor their use of marijuana to their specific condition and symptoms.

Through the state’s medical marijuana assistance program, patients can also offset the costs of registering for the program if they qualify for accepted assistance programs like Medicaid, PACE, SNAP or WIC. Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program also ensures that patients who are certified to use medical marijuana are provided with certain legal protections; They cannot be arrested, charged, or penalized for their use of legal medical marijuana products as long as they are following the rules provided by the program. In contrast, recreational and black market marijuana use can result in legal repercussions, which can have significant social and financial consequences.

How to become a PA Medical Marijuana Patient or Caregiver

“Since we began in 2016, we’ve streamlined the MMJ certification and card renewal process to make it as easy and convenient as possible, supporting our patients and certified caregivers every step of the way,” said Dr. Doner.

The process of becoming a PA MMJ patient is as simple as registering on the DOH website, seeing an approved practitioner like CCC to get certified, and paying for your medical marijuana ID card. Once you receive your card, you are legally able to visit any Pennsylvania dispensary and purchase medical marijuana products.

For those interested in becoming a medical marijuana patient, CCC is currently offering a $25 discount to all new patients from 4/20/2023 through 5/20/2023 using promo code ‘CCC420’ during appointment scheduling. Promotional terms apply. To learn more about the PA Medical Marijuana Program or to ask questions about certification with CCC, visit www.CCCRegister.com or call (888) 316-9085.

RECORD STORE DAY SAT., APRIL 22

RECORD STORE DAY, the favored holiday of audiophiles, returns on Sat., April 22, and Pittsburgh shops are ready to celebrate with big deals, live performances, and more. Launched in 2007, the worldwide, annual event has drawn vinyl collectors and music fans to local businesses looking to snag a rare find or exclusive release, or just to see their favorite local band rip it up.

Originally created to boost independent record stores, the event has grown into a phenomenon where customers have access to over 400 new titles, reissues, and other items released specifically for RSD. As explained by Brian Broad of Long Play Cafe, store owners pick and choose which releases to order and stock, with the hope that these choices will appeal to RSD crowds.

Broad says Long Play will have 50 or more RSD titles available for the big event, ranging from customer-requested albums from acts like Beach House, The Cure, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, and Taylor Swift to more obscure items.

“We just try to get what we think people might want,” Broad adds.

The selections vary based on each store, meaning that you may have to go on a day-long shopping adventure to find what you want.

Mostly, though, shop owners participating in RSD are focused on providing a place for the community to gather, have fun, and celebrate their shared love of music, all while supporting local businesses.

See below for Pittsburgh City Paper’s list of local spots to make the best of Record Store Day.

Government Center

715 East St., North Side. thegovernmentcenter.com

Government Center rewards early risers with access to limited-edition RSD releases beginning at 7 a.m., and from there, it’s a wealth of music spoils. Perks include free promo items, T-shirts, and more, markdown bins with new records up to 60% off, and a sale on all used records. The live music offerings include performances by Silenus & St. Christopher with Dubravka Bencic, Warm Tape, TV Moms, Melt, Weird Paul Rock Band, and more. Badamo’s Pizza will also be on-site selling wood-fired pies.

Jerry’s Records

2136 Murray Ave., Squirrel Hill. jerrysrecords.com

The most legendary used vinyl shop in Pittsburgh may not have any special new RSD releases, but it will have a huge weekend-long sale. From Fri., April 21 to Sun., April 23, check out more than 20,000 LPs and CDs, plus 5,000 classical LPs, each one priced at only a dollar. The owners also promise a ton of other great stuff for RSD, so be there or be square.

ON RECORD, CONTINUES ON PG. 18

Long Play Cafe

5262 Butler St., Lawrenceville. longplaycafe.com

Head to Lawrenceville for live music, DJs, food, and more at Long Play Cafe. Arrive at 8 a.m. for deals and special releases, followed by a live music lineup that starts at 11 a.m. and includes The Phantom Tones, Cody Piper, Tied Heart, The Gretchen Emery Band, Fermented Beats, and The 10th Ward Troubadours featuring Slim Forsythe. Hear more tunes courtesy of DJ Poptone and Action Alpha, and dine on food and drinks by El Sabor, Lolev Beer, and Lawrenceville Distilling Co..

Vinyl Remains

692 Washington Road, Mount Lebanon. vinylremainspg13.com

Vinyl Remains opens bright and early at 8 a.m. for a day featuring a few tobe-announced live performers and giveaways for Stage AE concert tickets.

Music To My Ear

3003 Babcock Blvd., North Hills. musictomyear.com

Prices are slashed on tons of records and accessories at the Music To My Ear RSD event. Take 20% off all in-stock electronics (including turntables, speakers, amps, and more), 20% off all record washing kits and accessories, and 15% off all used vinyl records. You can also enter to win free Stage AE concert tickets.

Preserving Record Shop

1101 Fifth Ave., New Kensington. preservingunderground.com

Preserving Record Shop tells City Paper that while they do not participate in RSD “in the sense of carrying their releases,” they do typically host some type of sale on that day. Be sure to watch out for more details on the sale by checking in on the shop’s socials. •