Justice Grown Pennsylvania, which operates dispensaries in the northeastern part of Pennsylvania, was selling medicinal pot for as low as $1 per gram.
The chain celebrated its first sales of marijuana “flower” last week by offering two strains at $1 a gram. It was the only store in the state to offer it at that price point.
The deal was mentioned on Facebook and had patients lining up early to collect.
Each customer was limited to 2 grams for purchase. In comparison, the kind of strains for sale are selling for $10 to $15 a gram elsewhere.
Despite customers being happy, Pennsylvania forbids promotions or discounts on cannabis.
“It’s in the law,” Department of Health spokeswoman April Hutcheson said. “The law prohibits discounts. You can’t run a promotional sale on medical marijuana. We let them know that they were in violation.”
Hutcheson said the department contacted Justice Grown the day before the sale, warning that it was “not an acceptable activity.”
“It was completely compliant,” said Justice Grown Pennsylvania’s CEO, Abbe Kruger. “It didn’t even fit the definition of a discount because it had never been priced before. We just priced it that low.”
“It was the first day we had flower,” Kruger said. “Some dispensaries had parties, but this was our way of celebrating. I think it was our way of giving a gift to our patients.”
“We want to make sure they continue to provide medicines to patients but also comply with the law,” Hutcheson said. “We realize this is a new business structure. There isn’t a formula [for discipline]. We’re working through it.”
