Second medical marijuana dispensary opens in New Kensington

Obtaining medical marijuana just got more convenient in the Alle-Kiski Valley, with the opening of another dispensary in New Kensington.

Zen Leaf medical cannabis dispensary opened Friday at 215 Tarentum Bridge Road, in the former Papa John’s Pizza location.

“It’s been great. A strong start,” said Joseph Kuches, Zen Leaf senior operations manager.

Pennsylvania implemented its Medical Marijuana Program in April 2016. Zen Leaf is the 35th dispensary operating in Southwestern Pennsylvania, according to the state Department of Health.

The other New Kensington dispensary is Sunnyside Medical Cannabis Dispensary at 4 Kensington Square.

Medical marijuana sold at Zen Leaf and other licensed dispensaries is grown and harvested in Pennsylvania. Zen Leaf operates a 62,000-square-foot indoor growing facility in Chester, Delaware County.

Its New Kensington location operates daily and features drive-thru or in-person service.

Zen Leaf is owned by Verano, a national cannabis operator with 14 production facilities nationwide comprising more than 1 million square feet of cultivation capabilities.

“Opening Zen Leaf New Kensington is another positive step forward in Pennsylvania, one of Verano’s core markets,” said George Archos, Verano founder and CEO.

“We’re thrilled to expand our footprint to serve additional Pennsylvania patients and offer our suite of premium cannabis products, including a variety of signature Verano-branded products we recently introduced to the Keystone State. We’re excited to welcome patients at Zen Leaf New Kensington and look forward to continued growth across Pennsylvania for years to come.”

Other Zen Leaf locations across the region include Cranberry, Monroeville, Robinson and Washington in Washington County.

Joyce Hanz | Tribune-Review

The former Papa John’s Pizza along Tarentum Road in New Kensington is the site of a new medical marijuana dispensary, ZenLeaf.

Kuches said maintaining a secure building is paramount.

“It’s for everyone’s safety, and part of that is due to the regulations,” Kuches said. “It’s a regulated business. We want to make sure everyone’s safe, our team members and customers.”

Only patients are allowed inside the facility.

Patients must be 18 or older to purchase the product, and pediatric patients (younger than 18) must be accompanied by a caregiver 21 or older to bring them into the store.

Kuches noted that customers include patients from ages 9 to 97.

The products arrive pre-packaged from the growth facility, Kuches said.

All customers must show a valid medical marijuana ID card, which is available to anyone in the state who registers for the program and presents confirmation from a physician that they have at least one of the qualifying conditions.

Qualifying conditions include anxiety disorders, autism, cancer, Crohn’s disease, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, among others.

Health insurance does not cover the cost of medical marijuana-related dispensary purchases or certifications.

Kuches declined to discuss the average amount spent by customers. Information on the company’s website lists price ranges from $20 to $120 or more.

Zen Leaf offers discounts for veterans, youth caregivers, patients with Social Security Disability insurance, seniors 55 and older, and students with a valid college ID.

Patients may choose to meet with an on-site pharmacist or cannabis advisor.

With a spa-like modern decor, Zen Leaf features heavily tinted windows throughout to maintain patient privacy.

Zen Leaf opened its first licensed dispensary in Las Vegas in 2016 and operates in 13 states, including Ohio, Arizona, Nevada, West Virginia and Michigan.

In Pennsylvania, medical marijuana may be sold in seven approved forms; pill, oil, tincture, liquid, topical, flower and forms administered by vaporization or nebulization.

“Generally speaking, in the United States, the number one form purchased is flower,” Kuches said.

In Pennsylvania, no combustion is allowed and the flower is vaporized.

“It essentially just heats up the flower to a point to where it allows the cannabinoids and the terpenes to vaporize without combusting the plant material,” Kuches said.

Pennsylvania has capped the number of dispensary license holders at 50, and only 150 dispensaries will be permitted to operate statewide.

Zen Leaf has a total of 18 licenses and has opened 15 locations in Pennsylvania.

“We’re looking at a sixth location (in the Pittsburgh area) as soon as we can,” Kuches said.

Since opening last week in New Kensington, Kuches said he has had honks of support from motorists and no backlash from the public.

New Kensington Mayor Tom Guzzo said Zen Leaf is a welcome addition to the city.

“There hasn’t been anybody providing any negative comments toward Zen Leaf. In fact, the only comments we’ve received are positive comments regarding the remodeling of the building,” Guzzo said. “This is another business addition to our ongoing revitalization throughout the city, including our Tarentum Bridge Road business district.”

The aroma of marijuana is evident when inside the building, but outside, no scent is detectable.

“We have a robust filtration system. We want to be respectful of our neighbors,” Kuches said.