Marijuana milestone: more than 100 dispensaries open in Pa.

Most Pennsylvanians don’t have far to travel to buy medical marijuana.

The state’s 100th dispensary opened last week in Chester, quickly followed by the 101st in York and 102nd in Hazelton, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Patients have spent more than $1.1 billion at dispensaries across the state since the first one opened in February 2018.

“Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program continues to be a leader for the country in terms of program growth and its first-in-the-nation research program,” Secretary of Health Rachel Levine said in a statement. “Reaching 100 operational dispensaries is a milestone for the program, but we know there is much work to do.”

There’s plenty of room for growth. State law allows a total of 198 dispensaries.

Opening more would require an act of the state Legislature.

The newest local dispensary, Ethos Cannabis in North Fayette, opened Nov. 24.

There are seven dispensaries in Allegheny County and three in Westmoreland.

There are nearly 504,000 patients and caregivers registered for the medical marijuana program, with close to 281,000 active certifications.

More than 1,500 doctors have registered in the program and been approved by the state.

Patients can obtain medical marijuana if they have one of several qualifying medical conditions. The vast majority of residents — about 80% — qualify under three conditions: anxiety disorders, chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder.

The state’s medical marijuana advisory board last month voted against adding insomnia to the list of qualifying conditions, while tabling a discussion on traumatic brain injuries until its February meeting.

Gov. Tom Wolf has advocated for the legalization of recreational marijuana, but the Legislature has not acted on the proposal.