Health - Bensalem Township

Op-Ed: Legalization of Adult-Use Marijuana: It’s Time to have the Conversation

Published

6 years ago

April 11, 2020

Jeff Bohen

The Following Op-Ed is from state Rep. Jake Wheatley (D-17) of Allegheny County

It’s no secret that I am a proponent of legalizing adult-use cannabis. And I’m not alone.

Last fall, many Pennsylvanians made their voices heard in support of legalization for adult-use cannabis during Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s listening tour across the state. Eleven states have already taken that step, after listening to their residents, and the time is now to make it a reality here in the commonwealth.

I’ve recently introduced legislation to legalize adult-use cannabis through a permitting structure for growers, processors and dispensaries, with a portion of the sale to be used for a variety of socially-minded programs to help our communities, including after-school youth programs, student loan forgiveness and affordable housing assistance. House Bill 2050 also includes a Cannabis Clean Slate provision, providing for the expungement of cannabis-related offenses for non-violent offenders.

This bill is sorely needed, because initial studies have shown there’s a substantial problem with access as it relates to the state’s medical marijuana program. The program provides medical marijuana for patients with several serious medical conditions, including severe, chronic pain, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Unfortunately, the program is not helping all those who need it, including people of color and low-income working-class communities. Among the issues they experience:

Lack of reliable transportation to a medical dispensary, including dispensaries that are some distance from their community.
Failure to find a physician in their community to prescribe cannabis for their health condition.
Financial concerns, including costs of the medical marijuana ID card, dispensary products, etc.

A recent report in Lancaster Online found the majority of marijuana patients using the state’s medical marijuana program are paying $200 a month or more for dispensary products. That same report also cited results from an anonymous survey from the state’s Medical Marijuana Advisory Board. Respondents were asked why they stopped using medical marijuana:

61% said they couldn’t afford it.
42% stopped using because their insurance wouldn’t cover it.
41% couldn’t find a consistent supply of what they needed for their specific medical condition.

The result? Pennsylvanians who need cannabis for chronic, debilitating pain or to ease their PTSD symptoms can’t get it.

My bill would greatly improve access by implementing a strong, viable and comprehensive marketplace for adult-use cannabis, and also enact significant criminal and social justice reforms. In addition, my legislation includes a provision that would prohibit employers from terminating an employment in the event a random drug screening detects the presence of non-intoxicating levels of cannabis. Furthermore, employers may not refuse to hire a prospective employee, based on the presence of cannabis found in his/her drug screening.

Introducing this legislation provides an opportunity to dispel several myths and misconceptions about adult-use cannabis. Cannabis is not a “gateway drug,” nor does it encourage the use of illicit drugs or the abuse of other drugs, like opioids. Cannabis is also not harmful and has never singularly led to any person’s death. The same can’t be said for alcohol, which is legal and responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually.

I’m asking for open and honest dialogue, in Harrisburg and statewide, because we have an opportunity to help those in need, and at the same time, make positive changes to our criminal and social justice systems to revitalize and strengthen our disadvantaged communities.

I invite you to find out more about my bill, and how it compares to two other cannabis-related bills, by visiting my website: https://www.pahouse.com/Wheatley/NewsCenter/ and click on Cannabis Report under the News Center section.

Let’s have the conversation and move our state forward.

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Health - Bensalem Township

Tackle Spring Break Travel Prep with GIANT Pharmacists

Published

6 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Jeff Bohen

After a long winter, many people are now looking ahead to spring break travel. Whether your plans have you headed to the beach or traveling abroad, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists are available as a resource with pre-travel health consultations and over-the-counter product suggestions.

“The same way you may enlist the expertise of a travel agent when booking your vacation, your local GIANT or MARTIN’S pharmacist also has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ensuring you have the right vaccinations or health essentials ahead of your trip,” said Nick Koch, director of pharmacy and wellbeing, The GIANT Company. “From pre-health travel consultations to offering recommendations for the best sunscreens and first aid basics, don’t overlook the value that our team of pharmacists can bring to your vacation preparations.”

If your spring break plans have you traveling aboard, GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists can also get you adventure ready with a pre-travel health consultation approximately as soon as travel dates are confirmed and a minimum of one month before you leave. This includes vaccines, prescription referrals, and over-the-counter medications.

Vaccines^* include but are not limited to yellow fever vaccine (available at select locations), typhoid vaccine and cholera vaccine. Prescription referrals include malaria prevention, traveler’s diarrhea prevention and care, motion sickness prevention and altitude sickness prevention. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit https://giantfoodstores.com/pages/pharmacy-services.

GIANT and MARTIN’S pharmacists advise that any prescription medication should always be packed in one’s carry-on bag, never in checked luggage, and preferably in the original container with the prescription label affixed. Be sure to bring enough for your trip as well as extra should there be any travel delays.

Travelers are also encouraged to pack a small first aid kit for on-the-go use. This should include bandages of various sizes, gauze pads, antibiotic ointment, hydrocortisone cream, tweezers and a thermometer. Be sure to add over the counter pain relievers, antacids, decongestants, hand sanitizers and antibacterial wipes, too. Additional items may be needed based on one’s destination and weather.

Health - Bensalem Township

Still Winter: NWS Issues Tuesday Morning Winter Weather Advisory

Published

3 days ago

March 2, 2026

staff

March “comes in as lion” to the Lower Bucks area as the National Weather Service (NWS) issued a winter weather advisory for Tuesday morning forecasting a mixed precipitation event making for possibly slippery road conditions.

The advisory is in effect from 5 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3.

NWS says total snow accumulations less than one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze in portions of southeast Pennsylvania and central, northern, and northwest New Jersey.

The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday morning commute, officials say, and motorists should plan on slippery road conditions. Motorists are reminded to slow down and use caution while traveling.

Health - Bensalem Township

Bucks Issues “Code Blue” Until March 3rd Due to Forecasted Bitter Cold

Published

4 days ago

March 1, 2026

staff

Bucks County has issued a “Code Blue” declaration as bitter cold is set to return for the start of March.

Shelters in Upper, Central and Lower Bucks will be in operation nightly Sunday through Tuesday morning.

The following shelters have been activated for this Code Blue event:

Lower Bucks – ahtn.org
(3/1)
Calvary Baptist Church – Gym
250 Green Lane
Bristol, PA 19007
www.calvarybristol.org

(3/2)
Morrisville Presbyterian Church
771 N. Pennsylvania Ave.
Morrisville, PA 19067
www.mpcusa.org

Please note the Lower Bucks shelter location changes Monday evening to Morrisville Presbyterian Church.

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening

Upper Bucks – facebook.com/upperbuckscodeblue
Quakertown Masonic Lodge – First Floor
501 W. Broad Street
Quakertown, PA 18951

Central Bucks – co2ssh.org
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
301 N. Main Street
Doylestown, PA 18901
www.doylestownlutheran.org

Guests are required to leave the shelters by 6:45 a.m. each day and may return in the evening.

The Upper and Lower Bucks shelters will open at 8:30 p.m. The Central Bucks shelter opens at 7:30 p.m.

The county issues a “Code Blue” declaration when temperatures are forecast to drop below 20 degrees for two or more consecutive days. A “Code Blue” may be called amid higher temperatures, as consideration is also given to wind chill, precipitation and other circumstances.

Information about “Code Blue” openings is available Monday – Friday through the County’s Housing Link Helpline at 1-800-810-4434.