5 Chester Co. Doctors Approved To Prescribe Medical Marijuana

More than 6,000 patients have registered to participate in Pennsylvania's marijuana program since the state launched its registry on Nov. 1, officials announced Thursday. One hundred physicians have been approved to participate in the program, and an additional 411 physicians have started the process of becoming an approved practitioner.

A registration process is required for patients to receive a medical marijuana card, allowing them access to state-licensed dispensaries once they open in 2018.

As of Nov. 16, the following doctors in Chester County are approved to prescribe medical marijuana once the program launches, according to information from the Department of Health:

1. Benjamin Jacobs, Paoli (anesthesiology)
2. Daniel Csaszar, Phoenixville (family medicine)
3. Joseph Richards, Malvern (pain management and rehabilitation)
4. Joyce Liporace, Paoli (neurology)
5. Karen Banner, Berwyn (psychiatry)

(More doctors are expected to be added, see the full list of the 100 approved doctors here.)

Gov. Tom Wolf said the "remarkable" number of patients and physicians registering to participate in the program is a "clear confirmation of the need for medical marijuana to ease the pain and suffering of thousands of Pennsylvanians.”

He pledged the Pennsylvania Department of Health is working "diligently" and "remains on track for the successful delivery of medical marijuana in 2018.”

Interested patients can learn more about the registration process here. Prior to registering, patients and caregivers should talk to their physicians to see if medical marijuana is right for them. They should also ask if their physician is registered with the program.

Patch file photo