Georgia Will Be First State to Sell Marijuana at Pharmacies

Medical marijuana will soon be available in pharmacies in Georgia.

The state is set to become the first in the U.S. to legalize the purchase of THC-containing products at local pharmacies this year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported earlier this month.

According to CNN, before the end of 2023, residents “who meet the extremely narrow criteria” required by the medical cannabis law will be able to purchase low-THC products from state pharmacies to treat a variety of ailments.

This week, Gary Long, CEO of the medical cannabis company Botanical Sciences, told CNN he wants Georgia officials to rid themselves of the negative connotations surrounding the plant’s extracts.

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“They think we’re going to be selling joints from a pharmacy or something, and that’s not right,” Long told CNN on Friday. According to the Botanical Sciences website, the company is the first provider of physician-owned medical cannabis in Georgia and that “89% of Georgia’s population will have access to Botanic Sciences products within a 30-minute drive.”

Marijuana and prescription. Photo © Tommy Flynn/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images

The Medical Cannabis Act lists applicable conditions for caregivers and/or patients such as cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, seizure disorders, Parkinson’s disease, sickle cell disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others. Terms of use apply.

Legally, doses of THC purchased in Georgia will not be allowed to exceed 5%.

And while patients who meet the criteria for the Low THC Oil Patient Registry won’t be able to pick up cannabis products at big chains like Walgreens or CVS, CNN adds that there are more than 400 independent pharmacies in the state of Georgia that can participate in the program.

Farmers are testing the growth of fresh marijuana for medical use. Cavan Images / Getty Images

Mindy Leech, pharmacist and owner of Lee-King Pharmacy in Newnan, advocates for the introduction of medical marijuana to Georgia residents.

“Pharmacists are trusted suppliers and this is a way to destigmatize this new drug,” she said, according to Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “People will be more comfortable if they want to come in and ask questions about it.”

Atlanta’s WSB-TV also spoke with independent drug store owners in the state, such as Derek Chapman, the current manager of the only pharmacy in Hapeville. He says he’s excited for what’s to come. Pharmacies in Georgia will have to meet certain requirements for dispensing low-THC products, including a dedicated place to counsel customers and properly dispose of expired THC products.

Although his drugstore has served the community for more than a century, this week marks the start of the application process to sell medical cannabis oil to residents with a legal prescription and ID card.

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“I think it will be a good thing for patients. Like, for example, I have a daughter who has seizures, so it could be useful for her and other patients like her. Now we’re going through the process to get it all approved,” Chapman said.

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On Friday, Andrew Turnage, chairman of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Oil Commission, told WSB-TV that the implementation will make the new form of health care more accessible to community members.

“It’s only a 15- to 20-minute drive from where patients are located across the state. That will make it a lot easier for them to get access,” Turnage said.

Chapman added: “Honestly, just having another pick will be great for us. It will probably be a good deal for us as well.”

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education