Georgia’s medical cannabis program is poised for significant growth as the state’s patient registry recently surpassed 25,000 individuals. This milestone signals an expansion in both patient access and the number of dispensaries, marking a turning point for the state’s cannabis industry.
Expanding Access Through More Dispensaries
As part of the state’s efforts to meet rising demand for medical cannabis, Georgia’s Access to Medical Cannabis Commission has implemented a growth model where dispensary licenses are tied to the number of registered patients. The current framework allows the state’s six licensed medical marijuana companies to open one additional dispensary for every 10,000 new patients.
Currently, 13 dispensaries are operational in Georgia, with each of the six licensed companies already authorized to open five locations. However, not all of these licenses are yet active. As the patient registry continues to grow, the number of dispensaries is expected to increase rapidly.
Andrew Turnage, the Commission’s executive director, stated:
“As the patient registry continues to grow with the increasing need for medical cannabis, the number of dispensaries licensed by the Commission will also grow.”
The Commission has plans to expedite the pace of expansion, with hopes that the medical cannabis market will scale more quickly in response to demand.
Growth Driven by Increased Demand
While it took about a year and a half for the registry to reach the 25,000 mark, the increase in patients is being attributed to a recent push for outreach. A two-month “listening tour” that included stops at four different colleges helped engage more potential patients, and a fifth stop is planned for next week.
This surge in registrations is expected to lead to more dispensaries opening soon. Sid Johnson, the Commission’s chair, highlighted the importance of expanding the program’s infrastructure:
“Expanding Georgia’s medical cannabis program, especially providing service to patients, is why the Commission exists.”
Market Restrictions and Potential Pharmacy Sales
Currently, Georgia’s medical cannabis market is limited to low-THC products, with a maximum potency of 5%. Only tinctures, topical creams, and pills are permitted for sale in dispensaries. However, the regulatory landscape may soon be shifting further, depending on the direction taken by federal authorities.
While state authorities granted pharmacies the ability to sell medical cannabis products last year, the Biden administration’s Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) warned against such sales. Despite this, at least one pharmacy in Georgia opened its doors to sell medical cannabis, defying the federal guidance.
With the potential for a new Trump administration, experts anticipate a shift in federal enforcement, which could lead to a more relaxed approach toward cannabis sales in pharmacies. This could further impact Georgia’s cannabis market, allowing for broader distribution of products and potentially increasing accessibility for patients.
Looking Ahead
As Georgia’s medical cannabis program continues to expand, both the industry and its patients stand to benefit from increased access to products and services. With more dispensaries on the horizon and potential policy changes at the federal level, Georgia’s cannabis landscape is likely to evolve quickly in the coming months.
