Thank you for being a dedicated leader who cares about young people in Pennsylvania!

Be a Part of the Conversation’s mission is to equip families and communities in Pennsylvania with skills and resources to understand substance use, addiction, and related health issues. We provide community programs, foster supportive connections, highlight lived experiences, and challenge stigma.

As we navigate medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, and the potential for the legalization of recreational use, our goal is to provide important information about the impact of marijuana on the developing adolescent and young adult brain.

Following Up  | April 28, 2023 Online Program

Recorded on Friday, April 28, 2023:  We heard from Gillian Schauer, PhD, MPH, a Senior Consultant to a number of federal and state agencies. Dr. Schauer shared lessons learned and addressed how to identify best practices to safeguard public health, promote equity, and promote regulatory certainty.

↓ Watch the Webinar ↓

Click here to provide your feedback about this program.

Meet Our Presenter

Gillian Schauer, PhD, MPH

Executive Director,
Cannabis Regulators Association (CANNRA)

Learn more about Dr. Schauer

Click here to read about:  The Association between Cannabis and Psychosis

Click here to find:  Marijuana Anonymous meetings

Click here to find:  Mar-Anon meetings (for family members)

Click here to learn about:  Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s)

Click here to listen to:  The Huberman Lab’s “The Effects of Cannabis on the Brain & Body”

This is quite long, but has some very important information about mental health at around 2 hours, 18 minutes in.

Click here to watch:  The video with the animated kiwi bird, which helps us to understand tolerance.

View a PowerPoint from the April 12, 2023 Medical Marijuana Advisory Board Meeting

Running the Numbers:  Medical Marijuana in Pennsylvania (as of 3/30/2023):

  • Almost 4% of Pennsylvanians (425,367) have a medical marijuana card and are active patients.

  • 6% of Pennsylvanians (898,882) are enrolled in the medical marijuana program

  • Most states with medical marijuana have about 2% of their population enrolled.

  • 1,825 physicians are approved to certify patients in PA

  • There are currently  173 medical marijuana dispensaries in Pennsylvania

  • 87.9 Million Products Dispensed

  • $7.3 Billion in Total Sales;

  • $2.9 Billion by G/Ps to Dispensaries; and

  • $4.4 Billion by Dispensaries

Pennsylvania medical marijuana is still working under temporary regulations. In October 2022, the Independent Regulatory Commission published permanent regulations, but they have not been adopted.

A comprehensive bill that will address both medical and adult use cannabis is expected in the next legislative session. Delta 8 THC, as well as the definition of intoxication will also be addressed.

Click here to:  Find Your PA Legislator

Click here to:  Find facts for you to speak to your Legislators about Regarding Adult Use Cannabis Legislation

Thank you to Jeff Hanley of the Commonwealth Prevention Alliance

CANNRA’s Mission is to convene, educate, and support governmental jurisdictions responsible for implementing cannabis policies and regulations. We do this by fostering collaboration and coordination to identify and share best practices that safeguard public health and consumer safety, promote equity, and create regulatory certainty for industry participants.

White Papers & Fact Sheets

CANNRA News & Outreach

Be a Part of the Conversation is pleased to partner with the Montgomery County Office of Drug & Alcohol on the Youth Marijuana Prevention Project (YMPP), a five-year initiative which launched in July 2019.

Learn about our training for Health Professionals

Learn much more about Cannabis

Learn About our Media Messaging Campaign

Learn About our Training for K-12 Educators

2021 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) Results
This activity is made possible by funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, the Human Services Block Grant and the Montgomery County Commissioners. The County of Montgomery makes no representations or warranties as to the suitability of this information for your particular purpose, and that to the extent you use or implement this information in your own setting, you do so at your own risk. The information provided herewith is solely for your own use and cannot be sold. In no event will the County of Montgomery be liable for any damages whatsoever, whether direct, consequential, incidental, special, or claim for attorney fees, arising out of the use of or inability to use the information provided herewith.

Following Up  | September 18, 2020 Online Program

Recorded on Friday, September 18, 2020:  We heard from Chair of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Val Arkoosh, and author and marijuana policy expert, Ben Cort.

Meet Our Presenters

Valerie A. Arkoosh, MD, MPH

Chair
Montgomery County Board of Commissioners

Learn more about Dr. Arkoosh

Ben Cort

Author, Weed, Inc.
Marijuana Policy Expert

Learn more about Ben Cort

↓ Watch the September 18, 2020 Webinar ↓

Thank You!

The Youth Marijuana Prevention Project (YMPP) is funded by the Montgomery County Office of Drug & Alcohol.

Visit our “Clearing the Air About Vaping” page.

Read more

Visit our “Cannabis (it’s complicated)” page.

Read more