Living through a pandemic is anything but easy… and some are taking the edge off with medical marijuana.

Dr. Joseph Leone is an Osteopathic Physician and owner of the Erie Medical Marijuana Clinic also known as Pro Med. Dr. Leone said from mid-April to now there has been a rush of new patients looking to treat anxiety with medical marijuana, particularly young adults.

“We’ve been really busy right through covid.  The age demographic tends to be a little younger. Maybe mid-20s to early 40s although we have certified anxiety patients right through the 80s.” Dr. Joseph Leone D.O. Erie Medical Marijuana Clinic:

The holidays are right around the corner and anxiety is a real issue. To get people more comfortable with the idea of using medical marijuana Dr. Joseph Leone created Cannabis Santa. This santa gives out cannabis, inspired treats (cannabis free) to personal care physicians to raise awareness to about treatment.

“What we have found is when someone's own doctor brings it up to them they are much more receptive. People will come into the office saying I would have never thought of doing this but my doctor was the one who brought it up to me.”

While medical marijuana is a common treatment for anxiety there’s other ways to cope. Licensed Social Worker and Administrative Director of Treatment at Stairways Behavioral Health, Becky Clark recommends weighing all your options.

 “I wouldn't necessarily endorse one thing or the other. It's going to be an individual choice, but there are lots of help out there and the traditional services as well as the new newer age services” Becky Clark LSW, Stairways Behavioral Health.

Other recommended treatments include therapy, healthy diet and exercise, or speaking with your doctor about over the counter prescriptions.