They cultivate, produce, and dispense quality medical marijuana products to patients in Pennsylvania who are suffering from chronic and debilitating medical conditions.

Location of the Dispensary

The newest Maitri Medicinals medical marijuana dispensary opened in a strip mall located at 1075 S. Main St., near the intersection of Route 30 and Route 119.

Words From the CEO

Jimil Wilson, the CEO of Maitri Medicinals said, “we are proud to further our commitment to serving cannabis patients throughout the state with the opening of our newest dispensary. The timing could not be better, as Maitri celebrates three years of providing the Pennsylvania medical cannabis community with a diverse selection of high-quality medical cannabis.”

He also talked about how he believed that the new dispensary will help serve patients more efficiently, and how patients would be able to get in and out more quickly than in some other locations.

The Medical Marijuana Industry in Pennsylvania

Since 2018, Pennsylvania has experienced a surge in the medical marijuana industry. MMJ products are available for medical marijuana patients across the state.

These were patients with chronic and debilitating medical conditions who had found comfort in using medical marijuana.

Medical marijuana patients can access medical marijuana from a dispensary of their choice as long as they have a condition certified by a state-licensed physician.

They are likewise required to register for a medical marijuana card which they can use to purchase medical marijuana products from registered dispensaries in their location or anywhere in the state.

Today, medical marijuana dispensaries are serving more than 633,000 registered patients and caregivers across Pennsylvania. They have been accumulating a reported $3.4 billion in sales in August 2021, as reported by the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Advisory Board.

In Western Pennsylvania, where the new dispensary will be opened, there are several existing dispensaries. These are:

• Beyond/Hello in Irwin
• Delta 9 PA in Greensburg
• The Rise Dispensary in Unity
• Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary in New Kensington

Opening the New Dispensary in Maitri

CEO Wilson said that with the opening of the dispensary, “Maitri officials had to work with state and local officials to get approvals to open the dispensary”. The State had to make a visit to the facility for a final review before it opened.

This, he said, was to ensure that Maitri Medicinals’ medical marijuana dispensary is meeting requirements related to security and other regulations. There were no comments heard from officials in Southwest Greensburg regarding this.

New Jobs for Southwest Greensburg

The opening of the Maitri Medicinals Southwest Greensburg medical marijuana dispensary is expected to create about 20 jobs.

Wilson said that they prefer to hire local citizens with this comment, “If you look at all of our other dispensaries, we hire folks from the local community, which has been very beneficial for us in the past.”

Words From the Medical Director

Terri Kroh, the medical director of the Maitri medicinals Southwest Greensburg medical marijuana dispensary believes that medical marijuana can be beneficial.

She said, “It is very rewarding. You see so many lives changed, individuals that came in that really were in so much pain they couldn’t walk, and then two weeks later they come back, and they’re kicking their canes up in the air. It’s amazing.”

Other Maitri Medicinals Medical Marijuana Dispensaries

The newly opened dispensary in Southwest Greensburg is not the first of the Maitri Medicinals dispensaries. It is the third medical marijuana dispensary opened by the company.

Other locations of their dispensaries are in the Pittsburgh East Liberty neighborhood and in Uniontown, Fayette County.

Prior to the Opening

While waiting for the approval of the state, Maitri Medicinals invited community members and local politicians to visit the facility before products are brought inside and before patients come in to purchase them.

There was a ribbon-cutting ceremony that took place after the tours together with members of the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce.

Navigating the Dispensary

When medical marijuana patients come to purchase medical cannabis products, they will go through this process:

• Patients will have to show their identification before they are buzzed into a reception area.
• From the reception area, they will be directed to another room where they can work with Maitri employees to place an order, or they can place an order on a kiosk and tablet located in the building.
• A consultation room is available for patients who want to speak with a pharmacist about different strains and products. On-staff pharmacists during operating hours will be available to give advice and provide education for patients with questions regarding the use of medical marijuana.
• When picking up an order through curbside pickup or inside the building, tips about the product will be given.

Jenna Parker, vice president of retail operations, said that the whole process is expected to take about 8 minutes.

The new dispensary allows products coming into the facility to be brought in through a garage door in the back. These products will be sorted and stored in a vault, with the orders taken in by employees of Maitri Medicinals.

Looking Forward to Serving Patients

Wilson expressed their eagerness to serve patients in Westmoreland County as they open a Southwest Greensburg medical marijuana dispensary.

Their pharmacists aim to work with patients to determine the best strain for each patient’s medical diagnosis, according to Marisa Maraugha, a wholesale marketing representative of Maitri Medicinals.

The company grows its own medical marijuana plants at its Pittsburgh location under Maitri Genetics. They develop each cannabis product alongside pharmacists who review the labs for each plant.

Medical director Kroh sums up how the Southwest Greensburg medical marijuana dispensary will serve patients with this thought: “We really just help patients (by listening) compassionately to their symptoms and the issues they’re having and the treatment goals that they’re trying to obtain, and then walk them through kind of a 101 on medical marijuana, how it works in the body, what strains and what terpenes might be best for the individual and then help them choose a proper formulation that they feel most comfortable with.”

Visit TeleLeaf RX for more information about medical marijuana legalization in your area, you may also contact us to know more about medical marijuana cards.

With this number of patients, there are currently 1,000 to 1,200 people recorded who are applying for a medical marijuana card each week. This is according to a report by the same source from a spokesperson of the Board of Pharmacy.

Obtaining Medical Marijuana Legally in Virginia

Virginia became the first Southern state to legalize marijuana as of July 1, 2021. There was lengthy legislation before it came to this point. To this date, a qualified medical marijuana patient can obtain medical marijuana by:

Home cultivation

You can grow the cannabis flowers yourself at home. Those 21 or older are allowed to cultivate up to four plants per household.

State-Licensed Dispensaries

You can purchase medical marijuana products from a Virginia-licensed facility. But you will need to get a medical marijuana card first.

How to Obtain a Medical Marijuana Card in Virginia

A medical marijuana card will allow you to purchase medical marijuana products from registered dispensaries across the state.

Here are the steps to medical marijuana card application in VA:

Find a registered practitioner

The Department of Health Professions is the assigned organization that gives licenses and regulates practitioners by their professional type. Look for a practitioner who maintains current registration with the Board of Pharmacy. This is a prerequisite before the practitioner can issue written certifications for medical marijuana use.

Obtain a valid written certification

The Board of Pharmacy-registered practitioner should be able to give you a valid certification that you can possess and use medical marijuana products.

Register as a Patient, Parent, or Legal Guardian

1. Go to https: //www.license.dhp.virginia.gov/apply/. Begin the registration process. You will be asked to enter your User ID and Password of your license issued by a board of the Department of Health Professions. If you do not have another type of license, click the “Register a Person” tab and do the following:

• Enter your last name and social security number.
• Complete the login registration if you are not in the licensing system. Follow directions, including entering a User ID and Password that you will need to complete the registration as a patient, parent, or legal guardian.
• Log in

2. When you see the Welcome screen, select “Initial Application” from the left menu.

3. Follow these directions once you are on the Application for Licensure screen:

• Select “Pharmaceutical Processing-Cannabis Oil” from the “Profession” dropdown.
• If you are a patient, select “Cannabis Oil-Patient” from the License Type dropdown.
• If you are a parent or legal guardian of a patient who is a minor or incapacitated adult, select “Cannabis Oil-Parent/Guardian”
• Complete the “Registered Patient For Cannabis Oil” application if you are the patient. If you are not the patient, a parent or legal guardian should complete this form.
• Select “Initial Application”
• Click “Start Application”

4. Complete the registration process. Pay the fee: $50 for patients and $25 for parents or legal guardians.

5. Scan and email the following documents to the board as plain PDF files or as pictures at: cbd@dhp.virginia.gov:

• Written certification by a registered practitioner
• Proof of residency (government-issued ID or tax receipt) of the qualifying patient and the parent or legal guardian, when applicable
• Proof of identity of the patient or parent or legal guardian (government-issued ID)
• Proof of the patient’s age (birth certificate or government-issued ID)
• A valid Virginia Driver’s License

You may also fax or mail the above documents to the following address:

Virginia Board of Pharmacy
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 Henrico, VA 23233
Fax: (804) 527-4472

Wait for Your Medical Marijuana Card

Processing your medical marijuana registration application will take 30 business days. If additional information is needed to process your application, you will receive an email regarding the details.

You will receive an email when your application is approved, and you will receive the registration card through mail at the address of record that you wrote on the application form.

It is estimated that it takes about 6 weeks for the state to review applications before they approve and send the medical marijuana card in Virginia.

The reason for the longer time for approval is because of the surge of interest, hence many applications that need to be reviewed.

Renew Annually

The Virginia Department of Health Professions mentioned that the online registration application must be renewed annually.

The Status of Medical Marijuana in Virginia

Erica Leone, the clinical director of VirginiaMarijuanaCard.com talked about how the legalization of medical marijuana has impacted their business. She said that the interest in the cannabis flower has skyrocketed and continues to do so.

She mentioned, “We see probably around 250 to 300 patients a week depending on the time of year. Over the course of our opening, we’ve seen 10,000 patients.”

According to the Board of Pharmacy, as reported by CBS 6 WTVR-TV, medical marijuana patients in Virginia were able to apply for a medical marijuana card beginning in August 2020.

Cannabis extracts began to be sold on October 14, 2020. In September 2020, a record of 4,727 medical marijuana patients was registered.

As of September 9, 2021, the number of registered medical marijuana patients has increased to 33,000.

It may be easier to get a medical marijuana card in Virginia because of the more lenient requirements in terms of qualifying.

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However, the state is still in the process of establishing regulations on marijuana cultivation and sales. Most recreational users will have to wait for up to 18 months before the first legal marijuana sales in New York.

Despite this, some Native American tribes are taking steps to open marijuana businesses on their reservations.

Marijuana Laws and Indigenous Tribes

The U.S. federal government recognizes Native American Indian tribes as sovereign nations. Since there are no marijuana regulations relating to these tribes, they have the inherent authority to legalize or ban cannabis within their territories.

In recent years, some indigenous tribes have pursued marijuana cultivation programs on their tribal lands. Although some have implemented lucrative programs, others face strong resistance from federal and state drug enforcement agencies.

Tribes entering the marijuana market could encounter jurisdictional issues with the federal government regarding drug-related crimes. To avoid this, tribes usually wait until surrounding states have legalized marijuana before taking action.

St. Regis Mohawk Tribe

They are one of the tribes currently leading the marijuana efforts in the state. This Indian reservation’s territory is located in northern New York.

On June 28, 2021, St. Regis Mohawk became the first Native American tribe to authorize the adult use of recreational marijuana in the state.

Under the law, dispensaries must be licensed by the tribe; while growing, processing, and sales must occur on tribal lands. Adult tribal members are allowed to grow up to twelve plants.

The recently passed cannabis ordinance followed a tribal referendum, which was held in December 2019. At the time, tribal voters approved the development of marijuana regulations and eventual adoption.

The Tribal Council considers the cannabis ordinance as “historic,” representing the first adult-use marijuana law adopted by a tribe in New York.

It is also the first in the country to license tribal members and tribal member-owned marijuana businesses. This is a unique route compared to many other tribes that often establish tribally owned and operated businesses.

The Tribal Cannabis Exchange is created to award licenses, collect fees, and facilitate testing. It will be overseen and supervised by a compliance office, the Tribal Cannabis Board.

The Exchange has already started receiving applications for marijuana licenses. While there is no specific timetable yet, sales in the territory are expected to begin before the end of the year.

The opening of businesses could have significant financial implications for the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe. It presents an opportunity to diversify their local economy and provide much-needed employment for tribal members.

In addition, the licensing fees can be used to support essential programs and services in the community.

Shinnecock Indian Nation

The Shinnecock Indian Nation on Long Island is another tribe taking the lead on legal marijuana. It is set to break ground on its medical marijuana facility. Retail sales for recreational marijuana are expected to begin before the year ends.

The tribe will start constructing its long-planned dispensary and wellness lounge. It also plans to pursue a medical marijuana business within tribal lands.

Following the legalization of recreational marijuana, tribal leaders are looking to set up their internal regulatory system upon an agreement of all members.

Tribal leaders hope to bring jobs and economic opportunities through marijuana sales. According to them, this can help people who have suffered due to the unfair criminalization of marijuana and also impact neighboring communities.

While the state is still setting up its regulations, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Shinnecock Indian Nation could start selling marijuana without competing with state-regulated shops.

Other Indigenous Tribes in New York

• The Onondaga Nation near Syracuse currently has no plans to authorize marijuana businesses in its tribal lands.
• The Cayuga Nation operates a USDA-approved hemp business. However, the tribe has not publicly announced plans to enter the recreational marijuana market.
• The Seneca Nation of Indians in Western New York is also operating a USDA-approved hemp business. The tribe has previously expressed its interest in expanding into recreational marijuana.
• The Oneida Indian Nation has confirmed that it is looking into the recreational marijuana business.

Tribal-State Marijuana Compacts

Indigenous tribes can enter into agreements with the state. One of the incentives of these compacts is the ability to set their own tax rates. This allows tribes to sell marijuana at a lower price than state-regulated retail shops.

Tribal-state compacts also permit tribes to operate outside their territory. Although not necessary, they can also help with jurisdictional problems at federal and state levels.

Most indigenous casinos in the state of New York are operating under compacts. Meanwhile, tribes in other states enter the marijuana business once they have reached an agreement with the state.

However, state-tribal compacts are not always free of controversies. One prominent example is the conflict between the state and tribes in California over the regulation of marijuana.

Tribes will only be allowed to operate outside of their territories if they surrender their sovereignty. The state officials also demanded tribes to submit to state regulations.

This issue occurred following the legalization of recreational marijuana in California. However, Proposition 64 or “The Adult Use of Marijuana Act” did not explain how the state government would interact with tribes.

The recreational marijuana legislation in New York gave way to the Cannabis Control Board. This regulatory board is responsible for overseeing the industry and giving authority to enter into state-tribal compacts.

Under such compacts, Indian nations or tribes in the state are authorized to manufacture, sell, distribute, transport, deliver, acquire, possess, or dispense medical or recreational marijuana.

This model for tribal-state compact has been used in other states where marijuana is legal, such as Nevada and Washington. But, it will take time until these compacts are fully established, given that the Cannabis Control Board is still not set up.

Tribal governments in New York are considering adopting a more cooperative model for tribes interested in the recreational marijuana industry.

Bottom Line

While the state is still figuring out its next steps, the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe and the Shinnecock Indian Nation are continuously moving forward to begin marijuana sales.

Now that marijuana possession is legal, these tribes are likely to attract consumers eager to purchase marijuana within their regions.

Through their initiatives, these New York tribes are setting an example for the state and other tribes looking to enter the industry.

Visit TeleLeaf RX for more information about medical marijuana legalization in your area, you may also connect with us to know more about medical marijuana cards.