DeKalb GA News

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has issued a warning to the state of Georgia regarding its planned introduction of medical marijuana sales in independent pharmacies. The federal agency cites a conflict with federal regulations, despite state allowances. This comes as over 100 pharmacies expressed interest in offering low THC oil for specific medical conditions, highlighting the discrepancy between state and federal cannabis laws.

According to AP News, the Georgia Board of Pharmacy began accepting applications in October and has since issued licenses to 23 independent pharmacies. However, the DEA's directive prohibits possession or distribution of marijuana and related items containing over 0.3% THC, despite state law permitting pharmacies to dispense these products. This was outlined in a memo sent to pharmacies.

AP News further reports that the DEA classifies cannabis-derived items with THC levels exceeding 0.3% as marijuana, which is illegal under federal drug regulations. Georgia has allowed possession and usage of low-THC medical cannabis for specific illnesses since 2015, but lawful purchase avenues were not available until April this year. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 24 states have legalized recreational marijuana nationally, while 23 permit various forms of medical cannabis. The Georgia Pharmacy Association addressed this issue in a letter to pharmacists stating: "The current conflict between state and federal law puts Georgia’s pharmacies in a difficult position. The Georgia Pharmacy Association is putting forth the maximum effort to help provide timely information and assist in navigating this issue."

The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (GAMCC) notes that individuals eligible for the Low THC Oil Registry Card in Georgia include adults with any of the 18 specified medical conditions, legal guardians of qualifying adults, and parents or guardians of minors with these conditions. These conditions range from severe or end-stage cancer cases to ALS, epilepsy-related seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease among others. GAMCC also highlights that Georgia's law on low THC oil is highly restrictive, excluding marijuana cultivation, sale, and possession in plant or leaf form. It prohibits infused food products, smoking, vaping, or vapor inhalation of low THC oil, and doesn't allow physicians to prescribe marijuana. The law protects individuals with an active Low-THC Oil Registry Card from prosecution for possessing less than 20 ounces of low THC oil for medicinal use.