The "Medical Marijuana May Help Decrease PA's Opioid Epidemic!"

It was an ordinary day.  Standing in front of the new Medical Marijuana (MedMar) dispensary which is about a city block from my home in Manheim Township, Lancaster, PA.  The place is a very small, non-descript corner store in a strip mall that is anchored by Dunkin' Donuts on one end and a home-goods store called At Home on the other end.  Neighbors in my neighborhood aren't quite sure what to expect as far as traffic, noise and any other problems that may occur from the store opening.  My guess is we won't notice any difference from what was in the place in the past.  I'm rather interested in what they will dispense and how it may at one time help me with my medical problems.  The store is called Cure Dispensary and is one of the stores approved in 2017 by the State of Pennsylvania after our Governor Tom Wolf and state legislators enacted one of the most comprehensive MedMar programs in the nation.  Pennsylvania has been experiencing an opioid epidemic and perhaps with the beginning of the legalization of MedMar that may begin to decline.  Medical cannabis has been approved to treat 17 medical conditions in patients of all ages.  MedMar has been a proven treatment for patients with debilitating pain with minimal risk, especially when using strains low in THC which is the main mind-altering chemical found in marijuana.  THC content of marijuana is 10,000 times stronger that alcohol in its ability to produce intoxication.  A low THC content is very effective in treating depression, arthritis, anxiety, lupus and multiple sclerosis as well as preventing epileptic seizures.  Another active chemical in marijuana is cannabidiol (CBD) which is non-psychoactive and seems to have many health benefits.  CBD provides relief from pain, anxiety, paranoia and seizures as well as having potential as a cancer treatment.  

It is primarily the CBD oil which states have deemed a legal, safe product due to its harmless medicinal effects and overall separation from THC-based marijuana.  For the people who are fortunate to live in a state that has legalized MedMar, those with medical problems that have suffered for years will be able to find relief.  MedMar is certainly not the same as what many think of as marijuana which people smoke.  Marijuana smoke contains over 400 chemicals with many of those chemicals toxic.  Removing the THC from the plant creates MedMar which is what has been made legal in Pennsylvaia.  There are states that have legalized recreational marijuana, but that is totally different than what we will have in Pennsylvania.  Perhaps someday that too will happen in my state, but I'm hoping that isn't in my lifetime.  What a relief it must be for those who will benefit from, or whose children will benefit from, Governor Wolf's decision to sign the MedMar bill into law and allow relief for so many medical problems.  And, I'm hoping that the new dispensary in my neighborhood will be a godsend for those in need.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.