The co-owner of the first medical marijuana dispensary in the western part of the state said hundreds of people are being helped every week by his products.

Trent Hartley said CY+ on Pillow Street, which opened on Feb. 1, now sees an average of 50 to 60 patients per day.

He said of the 17 conditions approved for the use of medical marijuana, chronic pain is the most frequent ailment for which patients seek his products.

Hartley said largest demographic of patients are those over the age of 50.

“They are the ones with a lot of the health issues,” he said.

He said most patients have used opioids for their pain in the past, and are looking to get off the medications because of side effects.

The average cost of each purchase at CY+ is about $170.

Hartley said he expected his staff to spend considerable time with patients teaching them about the use of medical marijuana, but that has not been the case at CY+.

Staff quickly discovered that many patients, in an effort to procure medical marijuana and decrease or stop their opioid use, have traveled to states where medical marijuana was approved before Pennsylvania.

“I was surprised at the level of education of the people in Western Pennsylvania,” Hartley said. “They're very familiar with the products.”

The most popular form of the medical marijuana products at CY+ is vape cartridges and additives. The site also sells lotions, patches, capsules and oil.

He said even older patients like products they can use in a “vape”, which is an e-cigarette that vaporizes the substance in the device's small tank.

The e-cig can then be used much like a cigarette, but it produces vapor and not smoke.

Regarding availability of his products, Hartley said he is keeping enough products on the shelf at CY+ to remain open, unlike some dispensaries that have seen severe shortages.

He said it takes three months to grow the marijuana plants, which then must be processed into the various forms allowed under state law. Pennsylvania's medical marijuana law does not permit dry leaf sales.

“We were the first to market, and we were hoping someone would be right behind us production-wise,” Hartley said.

CY+ is the only company among the seven now open statewide that grows and processes its own marijuana, he said.

The company's third harvest will be ready next week in the Brookville, Jefferson County, grow facility.

“Then there will be another three (growers) by the end of next month,” Hartley said.

The only product affected at CY+ by the shortage is capsules, which Hartley said sold out very quickly.

He said in three weeks when the new growers have product available, there will be no shortage of any product at CY+.

Hartley said he would be in favor of adding the sale of “dry leaf” medical marijuana if it is approved by the state.

He said that product would be much cheaper than the processed products now sold, making medical marijuana available to help a wider range of patients.

Pennsylvania is one of only two states where medical marijuana is approved that does not permit the sale of a dry leaf product, Hartley said.

“We're making people buy the most expensive products, which is not a good way to start a program,” he said.

Dr. Bryan Doner, CEO and medical director at Compassionate Certification Center on East Cunningham Street, said about 25 to 30 patients per day have visited his office to get a medical marijuana card and talk to a physician about which product would be best for them.

“It's a little more than I expected,” Doner said.

He said the Butler facility has a waiting list of about a week.

Doner said staff at Compassionate Certification Centers are trained to only help to procure a card for those who are eligible and truly in need of medical marijuana.

He said it is almost impossible to get a card without being eligible for one.

“We help patients gather medical records ahead of time so that when the patient comes in for an evaluation, we have their past medical records to support and confirm their diagnosis,” Doner said.

The staff is seeing a lot of patients with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, pediatric patients with autism or seizures, and neuropathy, Doner said.

Once a patient has had an evaluation by doctors at Compassionate Certification Centers and is deemed eligible and in need of medical marijuana treatment, patients must apply to the state for the card with the help of staff.

“The state takes up to three weeks, but I have found it's much faster than that,” Doner said.

He said he always encourages patients to have their medical records from their doctors on hand and to register with the state on the Internet before coming to Compassionate Certification Centers for their visit.

“It can help expedite the process and make it move more smoothly,” Doner said.

He said he is happy with the card-procurement help his facility is giving those with debilitating conditions.

“So far, things have been very good,” Doner said. “The community seems to be open to it and people are getting more educated.”

Hartley said medical marijuana at CY+ and other dispensaries around the nation are helping patients transition from opioids to natural and effective relief for their symptoms.

He said opioid prescription writing is down significantly and emergency room visits nationwide have decreased by 35 percent since medical marijuana became available.

“(Large pharmaceutical companies) have lost $4 billion in sales to cannabis around the world,” Hartley said.

So far, Hartley is very happy with his decision to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Butler.

“Business has been fantastic and the people have been fantastic,” he said.