Zen Leaf, a medical marijuana dispensary, opened last Friday at 2504 Welsh Road, in Tremont Plaza.
Pam Henshall, president of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, was among those who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Zen Leaf first opened in Las Vegas in 2016. Today, there are 30 in 10 states. This is the first one in Philadelphia and the fourth in Pennsylvania, following the openings of ones in York, Harrisburg and Altoona.
The local Zen Leaf is open seven day a week: Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Before visiting Zen Leaf or any other cannabis dispensary, state law requires that individuals obtain a medical marijuana identification card. Go to pa.gov and click on “Getting Medical Marijuana” on the home page.
As part of the registration process, an individual will need a driver’s license or a PennDOT-issued ID card.
Qualifying medical conditions vary greatly, from anxiety disorders to cancer and terminal illnesses.
A doctor must approve issuance of a card, which costs $50.
Once enrolled, people can visit a dispensary such as Zen Leaf. At zenleaf.com, people can have a live chat with an expert, view the shop’s menu and current inventory and learn more as part of “Cannabis 101.”
Zen Leaf caters to people of all ages.
“Kids to seniors and everyone in between,” said general manager Logan Finerfrock.
There are 18 employees at the local shop, with plans to grow to 30. Employees can help shoppers with the type and dose of medication.
David Spreckman, vice president of marketing and communications, described Zen Leaf as “patient driven.”
“Our consultations are thorough,” he said. ••
