Georgia Health Officials Miscount Medical Cannabis Patients, Affecting Dispensary Plans

ATLANTA — A recent revelation by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) has stirred the state’s medical cannabis industry. The DPH admitted to a significant overestimation of the number of medical cannabis patients and caregivers enrolled in its low-THC oil registry.

While initial figures presented by health officials indicated approximately 50,000 registered individuals, the accurate count stands at about 14,000. This discrepancy arose from counting expired and duplicate ID cards, misclassifying patients as caregivers, and including about 3,400 deceased patients.

The DPH’s data previously showed 21,000 caregivers registered, but the true figure is closer to 1,200. DPH Commissioner Kathleen Toomey informed 11 Alive that the state had been depending on physicians to notify and remove patients who ceased using the oil or passed away. However, this reporting saw a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Georgia’s regulations tie the number of registered medical cannabis patients to the permissible count of dispensaries that can operate. This miscount thus has consequential business implications.

Gary Long, CEO of Botanical Sciences, one of Georgia’s two licensed medical cannabis providers, spoke of the impact of this miscalculation. “The discrepancy is indeed disappointing. Our firm leans heavily on the state’s data to make pivotal business decisions,” Long commented to 11 Alive.

He added, emphasizing the broader perspective, “Our primary objective now should be directing our collective efforts towards increasing awareness about the medical cannabis industry in Georgia. It’s paramount that we broaden access to medical cannabis for Georgians, ensuring therapeutic products are available to patients in need.”

Such inaccuracies in reporting highlight the potential challenges in the growing medical cannabis sector and emphasize the importance of accurate data for businesses, patients, and regulatory bodies alike.