The first marijuana dispensary in southwestern Pennsylvania is opening its door this week.
Until Ohio and West Virginia open locations this and next year, the dispensary opening in Washington County is the only one near the Ohio Valley.
To use medical cannabis in Pennsylvania, you have to be a Pennsylvania resident. So, if you live along the Route 22 corridor, this is the place to get it in Washington County.
It’s on Chestnut Street in Washington, Pa.: The Healing Center Medical Marijuana Dispensary and Care Clinic.
“We are the only dispensary in all of Washington County right now,” said The Healing Center Co-Founder Chris Kohan. “There’s actually only three dispensaries open in all of southwest Pennsylvania.”
Those are located in the strip district of Pittsburgh, Squirrel Hill and Butler. The hypercompetitive medical pot business is no joke, with multiple cameras monitoring the location and multiple armed guards who are former law enforcement. The founders and investors saw Washington, like many urban hubs surrounded by rural areas, as a potential to provide a service to chronic pain sufferers.
“It’s an area that really needs a dispensary. It’s been hard hit by the opioid crisis. Cannabis has shown such promise is helping people get off of opioids,” Kohan said.
Patients who can obtain a valid prescription must suffer from one of 21 conditions, including autism, glaucoma, Parkinson’s, sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, PTSD, seizures and sickle cell anemia.
Burning or combusting the product is still illegal.
“Vaporization only; so, flower is coming in the beginning of August. In the meantime, oils, concentrates, tinctures and capsules,” Kohan said.
The Healing Center opens by appointment Thursday and Friday, then it will open to all medical marijuana patients on Saturday.
For more information on the dispensary, click here. More information on medical marijuana in Pennsylvania can be found here.
