The role and requirements for a cannabis pharmacist in Pennsylvania

Photo by Matt Dayak

Happy National Pharmacists Month! In the first of this two part series, we’ll explore the role of the pharmacist in the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana program. In part two, we’ll dig into the WHY: why did each of our pharmacists leave their roles in the conventional pharmacy world to take up a career in cannabis?

In Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program, all dispensaries are required to have a licensed physician or pharmacist on site during business hours. If a dispensary has more than one location, a physician or pharmacist must be on site at one, but the other(s) could have a physician’s assistant, or certified registered nurse practitioner.

At Maitri, we have a team of pharmacists who come from a wide range of experiences, including community pharmacy, home infusion, specialty pharmacy, and ambulatory care. Through their education and training, they have an understanding of disease states, drug interactions, allergies, and how the body processes medications. 

Each pharmacist is required by the DOH to complete a comprehensive 4-hour training program on cannabinoid pharmacology. We can then apply our knowledge of the traditional Medication Therapy Management process to medical marijuana. At each consultation* we review the patient’s social and medical history, the current medication list to check for potential drug interactions as well as the symptoms associated with your diagnosis. During the consultation we discuss your treatment goals, concerns, safety precautions and collaborate with you to provide an individualized care plan that includes suggested dosing, frequency, and product formulations to help achieve your wellness goal.

We understand that starting a medical marijuana regimen can be overwhelming for patients, especially with the wide variety of different products available. That is why the Maitri pharmacists are available for questions, comprehensive consultations, and everything in between! Our team is passionate about helping our patients reach their individual wellness goals. 

Our pharmacists feel extremely privileged to be a part of your medical team and to help you best address your health and wellness concerns. They understand the unique position they are in to help you to develop a personalized medical marijuana regimen and to make informed decisions, and they do not take the responsibility lightly. 

Have a question for the pharmacist or want to schedule a consultation? Call (412) 404-7464 for Pittsburgh or (724) 550-4565 for Uniontown today.

*Please note that, in accordance with social distancing guidelines, all pharmacist consultations are currently being conducted remotely.