Georgia is set to become the first state in the nation to offer medical marijuana products at independent pharmacies. The Georgia Board of Pharmacy began accepting applications this week, and nearly 120 pharmacies have agreed to provide medication from Botanical Sciences, one of the state’s two licensed production companies.

Medical marijuana is only available to Georgians with approval from a physician to treat severe illnesses including seizures, terminal cancers, Parkinson’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. Low THC oil can contain no more than 5% THC, the compound that gives users a high.

The expansion of medical cannabis sales into drug stores will put low THC oil within reach of many more patients, adding to the state’s seven dispensaries that have opened since April.

Patients will be able to buy cannabis oil at pharmacies if they show a state-issued low THC oil registry card and identification.

About 90% of Georgia’s population will be within a 30-minute drive of a pharmacy selling medical marijuana when they open, according to the company.

“Pharmacists are a trusted provider, and it’s a way for us to destigmatize this new medicine,” said Mindy Leech, a pharmacist and the owner of Lee-King Pharmacy in Newnan. “It will make people more comfortable if they want to come in and ask questions about it.”

The Georgia General Assembly approved distribution of low THC oil as part of a state law passed in 2019, but it has taken years to create regulations for safety, inspections, licensing and distribution. Gov. Brian Kemp approved rules last month that were passed by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy, clearing the way for pharmacy sales to begin.

The Georgia Department of Public Health recently disclosed it had miscounted and inflated the number of registered medical marijuana patients. Just 14,000 active patients and caregivers are currently signed up, far fewer than the 50,000 previously reported.

“We’re going to have patients that need this health care in some remote parts of Georgia that probably would never have a dispensary near them,” said Jonathan Marquess, vice president for the Georgia Pharmacy Association and the owner of several pharmacies in the Atlanta area. “But they do have a caring professional, a knowledgeable professional pharmacist, in their communities who can talk to them.”

There are over 400 independent pharmacies in Georgia, and Marquess said he expects most of them will be interested in selling low THC oil. The product isn’t being sold by national drugstores like CVS and Walgreens.

Andrew Turnage, executive director for the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, said the pharmacy rule is “definitely big news.”

“It helps both our licensees and especially our patients,” he said. “It will put access in virtually every county in the state.”

Conclusion

Georgia’s decision to allow independent pharmacies to sell medical marijuana products is a significant step forward for the state’s medical cannabis program. It will make it easier for patients to access the medication they need, and it will help to destigmatize medical marijuana use.

 Georgia becomes first state to allow pharmacies to sell medical cannabis oil¹: A report on how Georgia will be the first state in the US to offer medical marijuana products at independent pharmacies, starting from October 2023. The state has approved six companies to grow and manufacture low-THC cannabis oil, which will be available for patients with qualifying conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis².

– Georgia Department of Health Reports Discovery of Inflated Cannabis Patient Number³: A news article that reveals that the state reported that while its data previously showed 50,000 patients and caregivers, now it estimates there are only 14,000. The department said it is working to correct the error and ensure accurate data collection³.

– Georgia Marijuana | GA Marijuana⁴: A website that provides information and updates on Georgia marijuana laws, news, events, and products. The site also features a blog, a forum, and a directory of dispensaries and doctors in the state⁴.

(1) Georgia becomes first state to allow pharmacies to sell medical cannabis oil. https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/georgia-becomes-first-state-to-allow-pharmacies-to-sell-medical-cannabis-oil/ar-AA1hOu20.

(2) Georgia will be first state with medical marijuana in pharmacies. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/georgia-ap-thc-atlanta-patients-b2425579.html.

(3) Georgia Department of Health Reports Discovery of Inflated Cannabis Patient Number. https://hightimes.com/news/georgia-department-of-health-reports-discovery-of-inflated-cannabis-patient-number/.

(4) Georgia Will Be First State With Medical Marijuana in Pharmacies. https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-10-06/georgia-will-be-first-state-with-medical-marijuana-in-pharmacies.

(5) Georgia will be first state with medical marijuana in pharmacies. https://www.townandcountrytoday.com/cannabis-news/georgia-will-be-first-state-with-medical-marijuana-in-pharmacies-7652702.

(6) Georgia Marijuana | GA Marijuana. https://gamarijuana.com/.

According to the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission⁴, the qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Georgia are:

– Cancer, when such diagnosis is end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting

– Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage

– Seizure disorders related to the diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma related head injuries

– Multiple sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage

– Crohn’s disease

– Mitochondrial disease

– Parkinson’s disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage

– Sickle cell disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage

– Tourette’s syndrome, when such syndrome is diagnosed as severe

– Autism spectrum disorder

– Epidermolysis bullosa

– Alzheimer’s disease, when such disease is severe or end-stage

– AIDS, when such syndrome is severe or end-stage

– Peripheral neuropathy, when symptoms are severe or end-stage

– The patient is in a hospice program, either as an inpatient or outpatient

– Intractable pain

– Post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma

To obtain a low-THC oil registry card in Georgia, you must have one of these conditions and be evaluated by a state-licensed physician who can certify your eligibility. You can find more information on how to get a medical marijuana card in Georgia here¹

(1) GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission – FAQs – Georgia. https://www.gmcc.ga.gov/faqs.

(2) How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Georgia [2021 Update]. https://wayofleaf.com/mmj-cards/state/medical-marijuana-card-georgia.

(3) . https://bing.com/search?q=qualifying+conditions+for+medical+cannabis+in+Georgia.

(4) Qualifying Conditions for Medical Cannabis in Georgia – GA Dispensaries. https://gadispensaries.com/qualifying-conditions/.

(5) Medical Marijuana is Coming to Georgia! Which Conditions Qualify?. https://www.georgiamarijuanacard.com/post/medical-marijuana-is-coming-to-georgia-which-conditions-qualify.

(6) Is Weed Legal In Georgia? – Leafwell. https://leafwell.com/cannabis-marijuana-laws/georgia/.

(7) undefined. https://georgiastatecannabis.org/medical.

(8) undefined. https://www.nuggmd.com/blog/how-to-get-a-medical-marijuana-card-in-georgia.

(9) undefined. https://www.leafly.com/learn/legalization/georgia.

To find a state-licensed physician in Georgia who can certify your eligibility for medical cannabis, you can follow these steps:

– Visit the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission website¹ and click on the “Find a Physician” tab. You will see a list of physicians who are registered with the commission and can recommend medical cannabis for patients with qualifying conditions.

– Alternatively, you can use the search engine of your choice and type in keywords such as “state-licensed physician in Georgia for medical cannabis”, “medical marijuana doctor in Georgia”, or “cannabis clinic in Georgia”. You will see various results from different sources, such as websites, news articles, and directories. You can browse through them and find the one that suits your needs and preferences.

– Once you find a physician that you want to consult with, you can contact them by phone, email, or online booking system and schedule an appointment. You will need to provide some information about your medical condition, medical history, and current medications. You will also need to sign a waiver form and a physician certification form that will be submitted to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

– After you receive your physician’s recommendation, you will be issued a low-THC oil registry card by the department. This card will allow you to legally possess and use medical cannabis products in Georgia. You can obtain these products from licensed pharmacies or dispensaries in the state.

(1) . https://bing.com/search?q=state-licensed+physician+in+Georgia+for+medical+cannabis.

(2) Georgia will be first state with medical marijuana in pharmacies. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/georgia-ap-thc-atlanta-patients-b2425579.html.

(3) Botanical Sciences Leads the Way as Georgia Becomes First State to …. https://www.botanicalsciences.com/botanical-sciences-leads-the-way-as-georgia-becomes-first-state-to-dispense-medical-cannabis-at-independent-pharmacies/.

(4) Botanical Sciences Leads the Way as Georgia Becomes First State to …. https://finance.yahoo.com/news/botanical-sciences-leads-way-georgia-124500428.html.

(5) How Do I Obtain Medical Marijuana in Georgia? | Cannabis Oil Law. https://www.pcom.edu/academics/programs-and-degrees/doctor-of-pharmacy/school-of-pharmacy/blog/medical-cannabis-laws.html.

(6) undefined. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231004616901/en/.

The requirements for getting a medical marijuana card in Georgia are as follows:

– You must have a qualifying medical condition or be a caregiver of someone who has one. The list of qualifying conditions includes cancer, ALS, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, mitochondrial disease, Parkinson’s disease, sickle cell disease, Tourette’s syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, epidermolysis bullosa, Alzheimer’s disease, AIDS, peripheral neuropathy, intractable pain, PTSD, and hospice patients¹²³.

– You must be a Georgia resident and be able to prove it with a valid ID or other documents¹²³.

– You must book an appointment with an approved physician who can evaluate you and recommend low-THC oil as a treatment option. The physician will submit the required forms and a registration fee to the Georgia Department of Health Low THC Oil Registry¹²³⁴.

– You will then be able to pick up your card from a public health office within 15 days of submission. The card will allow you to legally possess and use medical cannabis products in Georgia¹²³.

(1) How Get A Medical Marijuana Card Georgia | Georgia Marijuana Card. https://www.georgiamarijuanacard.com/how-to-qualify.

(2) . https://bing.com/search?q=requirements+for+getting+a+medical+marijuana+card+in+Georgia.

(3) GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission – FAQs – Georgia. https://www.gmcc.ga.gov/faqs.

(4) How Do I Obtain Medical Marijuana in Georgia? | Cannabis Oil Law. https://www.pcom.edu/academics/programs-and-degrees/doctor-of-pharmacy/school-of-pharmacy/blog/medical-cannabis-laws.html.

(5) How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Georgia …. https://sanctuarywellnessinstitute.com/blog/how-to-get-a-medical-marijuana-card-in-georgia/.

(6) undefined. https://wayofleaf.com/cannabis-and-cbd/medical-marijuana-card-georgia.

(7) undefined. https://www.nuggmd.com/blog/how-to-get-a-medical-marijuana-card-in-georgia.