Pharmacist to legally sell medical cannabis
Dr. Ankit Patel, a renowned pharmacist, is ready to etch his name in the annals of history this coming Friday. He is on the verge of becoming the pioneering pharmacist to lawfully vend medical cannabis right from a pharmacy counter in the United States. This landmark event is set to occur at his very own pharmacy, known as Robins Pharmacy. The pharmacy is conveniently located approximately 90 minutes from Atlanta, Georgia, a vibrant hub of the Southeast. Robins Pharmacy is not alone in this ground-breaking endeavor. It is one amongst a triumvirate of pharmacies in the region that have been granted a state license to vend low-THC medical cannabis. The other two pharmacies sharing this honor are Omega Pharmacy and Allen Pharmacy Group. The acronym THC stands for tetrahydrocannabinol, a major active ingredient of the cannabis plant. It is this component that induces the sensation of being “high” or euphoric. Medical practitioners around the globe often advocate for the use of medical cannabis to counteract the effects of various adverse conditions. These include but are not limited to persistent pain, chronic nausea, acute insomnia, and other debilitating health conditions. The array of products available on the market that contain THC is diverse. It ranges from THC oil and tinctures to topicals, capsules, and even lozenges. Currently, Georgia stands as the singular state in the United States that allows pharmacies the legal right to retail medical cannabis. The statute legalizing medical cannabis in Georgia was met with widespread enthusiasm from independent pharmacies scattered across the state. This enthusiasm persisted despite the drawn-out legislative process. It was in the year 2019 that the Georgia General Assembly gave the green light for the distribution of low-dose THC oil. However, it took several years to establish the necessary regulatory infrastructure to support this legislation. This changed when Georgia Governor Brian Kemp sanctioned the Board of Pharmacy rules the previous month, thus finally opening the floodgates for pharmacies to retail THC. The GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission is hopeful that more pharmacies will be given the green light to vend medical cannabis in the near future. In order to secure official state approval, pharmacies are required to submit a formal application. Following this, there is a stringent inspection carried out by the state drugs and narcotics agency. This inspection is comprehensive, including an assessment of the store’s security measures and staff knowledge about the cannabis products, their handling, and potential implications. In accordance with the regulations, pharmacies are mandated to store cannabis products alongside other prescription medicines. Bill Posey, the proprietor of Allen Pharmacy Group, initiated the sale of low-dose THC products this past Monday. Posey is of the belief that cannabis serves as an effective alternative to traditional pain relievers such as opioids. He also sees it as a potential tool for patients aiming to reduce their opioid consumption. However, Georgia law has specific stipulations regarding the sale of medicinal cannabis. Sales are restricted to patients diagnosed with one of the 16 diseases delineated in the legislation. Patients seeking to purchase medical cannabis must first obtain permission from their treating physician and subsequently apply to the state for a special card. This card is scanned by the pharmacist to cross-verify the customer’s information in the state database. The laws strictly prohibit Georgia pharmacies from selling to out-of-state customers. Dr. Jordan Day, a pharmacist at Omega Pharmacy, postulates that allowing pharmacists to sell cannabis brings with it significant benefits. Pharmacists, with their extensive knowledge and expertise, can predict potential harmful drug interactions. Furthermore, they are often able to assist patients in gradually tapering off other medications that the cannabis is intended to replace. Although Dr. Patel does not foresee a sudden influx of customers when sales kick-off on Friday, he is nevertheless eager to begin. He looks forward to educating his patients about the myriad potential benefits that cannabis can offer.
The qualifying diseases for medical cannabis in Georgia are the following:
Cancer, when such diagnosis is end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting12
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage12
Seizure disorders related to the diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma related head injuries12
Multiple sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage12
Crohn’s disease12
Mitochondrial disease12
Parkinson’s disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage12
Sickle cell disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage12
Tourette’s syndrome, when such syndrome is diagnosed as severe12
Autism spectrum disorder, when (a) patient is 18 years of age or more, or (b) patient is less than 18 years of age and diagnosed with severe autism12
Epidermolysis bullosa12
Alzheimer’s disease, when such disease is severe or end stage12
AIDS when such syndrome is severe or end stage12
Peripheral neuropathy, when symptoms are severe or end stage12
The patient is in a hospice program, either as an inpatient or outpatient12
Intractable pain1
Post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma1
These are the conditions or diseases that are covered by the law in Georgia for medical cannabis use.
Learn more:
4. msn.com
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How do I get a state-issued card in Georgia?
To get a state-issued card for medical cannabis in Georgia, you need to follow these steps:
First, you need to have a qualifying medical condition or be a caregiver of someone who has a qualifying condition. You can find the list of conditions in the previous message or by visiting this link1.
Second, you need to visit a qualified doctor who can certify that you have a qualifying condition and that low-THC oil may be beneficial for you. You can find a list of doctors who can recommend medical cannabis at this link2.
Third, you need to fill out two forms: a waiver form and a physician certification form. The waiver form must be signed by both you and the doctor, and the physician certification form must be signed by the doctor. You can find the forms at this link.
Fourth, you need to submit the forms and a registration fee of $25 to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The department will review your application and issue you a low-THC oil registry card within 15 days. You can pick up your card at one of 20 locations throughout the state.
Fifth, you need to wait for the state to license and regulate the cultivation and distribution of low-THC oil products. Currently, there is no legal way to purchase low-THC oil in Georgia, but the state is expected to grant licenses to six companies that will grow and process medical cannabis soon. You can find more information about the progress of the program at this link.
These are the steps you need to take to get a state-issued card for medical cannabis in Georgia.
Learn more:
1. pcom.edu
4. trulieve.com
5. gmcc.ga.gov
6. gmcc.ga.gov