Buying Cannabis At Pharmacy Feels 'More Comfortable,' Says Owner Of Georgia Drugstore Launching Low-THC MMJ Sales

A Georgia pharmacy has started selling low-THC medical marijuana to registered patients statewide, despite opposition from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Vic Johnson, who owns the Living Well Pharmacy in Augusta, told the Journal-Constitution that selling medical cannabis in pharmacies is "a new frontier."

Why? "I really think pharmacies are an ideal outlet for dispensing medical cannabis because if you come to my pharmacy already, we can talk about what medications you already are taking."

The Georgia Board of Pharmacy started accepting applications from nearly 120 pharmacies to provide medical marijuana products in October, making it the first state in the nation to allow the sale of low-dose cannabis at independent drug stores. The move came four years after the Georgia legislature legalized low-THC medical marijuana in 2019.

Botanical Sciences LLC and Trulieve Cannabis Corp. TCNNF, which were the first cannabis businesses to launch medical cannabis sales statewide in 2023, were given the green light to supply pharmacies with products.

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DEA Is Against It

The DEA sent warning letters to pharmacies involved in the state’s medical marijuana program shortly after, cautioning against dispensing THC. Even though the DEA's move prompted concerns among industry stakeholders about potential obstacles to the expansion of medical marijuana access for patients statewide, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (GMCC) maintained its stance.

Read Also: DEA vs. Georgia: Tensions Rise Over Medical Cannabis Access As State Regulators Consider Legal Action

"I want patients to know that we are well on our way to fully implement the Hope Act [Harnessing Opportunities by Pursuing Expungement Act]," GMCC chair Sid Johnson said. "We will continue to pursue our mission of ensuring access to medical cannabis for all patients across Georgia."

Johnson's pharmacy was earlier approved by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy to dispense low-THC oil to Richmond County's registered patients. He said his pharmacy got the green light to sell medical cannabis gummies, tinctures, cremes or capsules that contain 5% THC or marijuana compound in late August.

"I think our customers feel more comfortable buying this product through a pharmacy where records are kept, and we know their medical history," Johnson told Augusta Business Daily. "The other benefit is that the purchases for these products are kept separate from other prescriptions we fill."

Read Next:

• Cannabis Milestone: Over-The-Counter Medical Marijuana Launches In Georgia Pharmacies

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