Pennsylvania's medical marijuana advisory board on Monday is expected to vote on whether to recommend allowing dry leaf form to be sold at

.

Three subcommittees of the 13-member board have already voted in favor of allowing sales of leaf and flower form. If the full board votes on favor of those recommendations, its recommendation then will go to Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine, who will have the final say.

It's unknown when Levine will make her decision, health department spokeswoman April Hutcheson said on Friday.

Medical marijuana

in February. But current policy allows only forms including oils in capsule form or that can be vaporized and inhaled, and cremes and oils to rub on the skin.

Board member Luke Shultz said Friday allowing the dry leaf form is "a topic that has come up time and again" for the board. He said numerous members have been swayed in favor of it. While he doesn't expect a unanimous vote, Shultz said he expects the full board to recommend allowing it.

"I think the general consensus has moved toward allowing it," he said.

However, a decision by Levine to allow leaf wouldn't mean medical marijuana patients could smoke it.

Pennsylvania law forbids the smoking of medical marijuana. While the advisory board in conjunction with the health secretary can change things such the forms of medical marijuana allowed to be sold, or the illnesses that can be treated with it, it can't change the law to allow smoking of medical marijuana.

Shultz said many patients who use medical marijuana prefer the leaf form because its fast-acting. Also, because it requires the least processing, it's the least expensive option.

Shultz stressed that cost is a big factor for medical marijuana users, who are in many cases disabled and who often have large medical bills. Moreover, medical marijuana isn't covered by health insurance or government programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Patients also typically pay $100 to $300 for the medical consultation needed to obtain a state-issued medical marijuana card, which costs $50.

"Cost is an overwhelming concern for the patient community," said Shultz, a Berks County resident who is the advisory board's patient advocate.

Shultz said he expects the majority of patients who purchase dry leaf form will use it in vaporized form. However, he said it can also be turned into tea, baked into foods, or otherwise processed to extract the oils that provide the medicinal benefit.

have also noted dry leaf form takes the least time to bring to market.