Georgia Pharmacies to Offer Low-THC Cannabis Oil, Expanding Access for Medical Patients

ATLANTA- In a pioneering move, Georgia has become the first state in the U.S. to greenlight the sale of medical cannabis at independent pharmacies, with the objective of simplifying access for its registered medical cannabis clientele, reports the Associated Press.

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy recently initiated the application process, and close to 120 pharmacies have already consented to stock medication from Botanical Sciences, one of the duo of state-sanctioned production entities. This marks a significant shift from the status quo: currently, patients are restricted to sourcing their medication from a mere seven licensed cannabis dispensaries operational since April.

Gary Long, the CEO of Botanical Sciences, commented on the development, highlighting the long-standing gap in the pharmaceutical landscape: “For years, pharmacists have encountered queries from patients regarding medical cannabis, yet remained powerless to assist.”

Governor Brian Kemp (R) recently sanctioned rules proposed by the state Pharmacy Board, thereby authorizing pharmacies to commence the sale of low-THC oil. This oil is defined by its THC content, which must not exceed 5%. With over 400 independent pharmacies dotted across Georgia, Jonathan Marquess, Vice President of the Georgia Pharmacy Association and owner of multiple pharmacies in the Atlanta vicinity, anticipates widespread interest in retailing these products.

However, national retail giants like CVS and Walgreens have opted to remain on the sidelines, choosing not to venture into the medical cannabis market, as per the report.

Emphasizing the broader implications of this initiative, Marquess remarked, “Numerous patients residing in Georgia’s more isolated regions might never find a dispensary within their reach. However, they do have access to informed, compassionate pharmacists within their localities, poised to guide them.”

Latest data from the state Department of Public Health pegs the count of registered medical cannabis users in Georgia at roughly 14,000. This figure rectifies a prior miscalculation, which had inadvertently inflated the tally of medical cannabis patients and caregivers by an estimated 36,000.