Athens Reporter

In a groundbreaking move, Georgia is poised to become the inaugural state in the United States to sell medical marijuana through independent pharmacies. This initiative has been seen as a significant milestone in healthcare accessibility and what many call a step toward destigmatizing medical marijuana use.

"State officials announced that Georgia will be the first state in the nation to provide medical marijuana at independent pharmacies."

Georgia is on track to pioneer the sale of medical marijuana in independent pharmacies, marking a significant milestone as the first state to do so. Nearly 120 pharmacies have submitted applications to the Georgia Board of Pharmacy, and once inspections and approvals are completed, medical marijuana products will soon be accessible in these pharmacies within a few weeks. This development broadens the availability of low THC oil to patients with serious conditions, making medical cannabis more accessible through neighborhood pharmacies. Georgia is set to make history as the first state in the nation to offer medical marijuana products in independent pharmacies.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, this week the Georgia Board of Pharmacy commenced the application process, attracting nearly 120 pharmacies to participate in dispensing medication from Botanical Sciences—one of the state's licensed production companies. Although medical marijuana is expected to be available in pharmacies in a few weeks, the approval process will involve inspections following the submission of applications.

According to PBS News, medical marijuana in Georgia is exclusively accessible to individuals with physician approval, aimed at treating severe conditions such as seizures, terminal cancers, Parkinson's disease, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The allowable low THC oil must not exceed 5 percent THC, the psychoactive compound responsible for the "high" effect in users.

Gary Long, CEO for Botanical Sciences, said in a report to PBS News: '“Pharmacists have been fielding questions from patients for years without ever having the ability to do anything about it. Finally, they have the ability not just to give people advice but provide them with the therapies they’ve been seeking.'

An 11Alive report in September said that the Georgia Department of Public Health acknowledged an extensive miscount in the count of medical marijuana patients and caregivers over several years. Initially, health officials reported approximately 50,000 individuals enrolled in the low THC oil registry, but they have now corrected this figure to reflect only 14,000 registered patients. State health department identified inconsistencies within the registry, revealing expired and duplicate cards, patients erroneously categorized as caregivers, and approximately 3,400 patients who were no longer alive.

PBS reported that in 2019, Georgia authorized low THC oil distribution, but regulatory preparations took years. Governor Brian Kemp's recent approval as of last month for pharmacy sales rules signaled the start of medical marijuana distribution.