New Medical Cannabis Dispensary Opens In GA

DUNWOODY, GA — Medical cannabis has become more attainable after Trulieve recently expanded into Dunwoody, the company told Patch.

Trulieve opened on Sept. 10, with a soft opening held six days prior, at 4675 N. Shallowford Road, Ste. 100.

Jeremy Davis, director of state operations for Georgia, told Patch the dispensary is the company's seventh site in the state.

"This location allows us to expand access to patients across the metro Atlanta area and really get closer to people that were having to drive long distances to some of our other areas, like Marietta," he said.

Davis, who oversees the Trulieve dispensaries, said opening a new site allows patients to access medications needed to help with their conditions.

The feedback from the Dunwoody community has been phenomenal and "the reception was very warm and welcoming," he said.

Why Choose Medical Cannabis?

A veteran who has faced post-traumatic stress disorder, Davis advocated for medical cannabis use because he said it does not come with side effects typically experienced through traditional pharmaceuticals.

Side effects are individualized and will depend on the person using the medical cannabis. Davis said body chemistry and food consumption can be factors.

"The other side of it is you know what you're putting in your body," he said.

The cannabis undergoes testing in a third-party lab, and patients are able to retrieve a certificate of analysis for the drug.

Medical Marijuana Bill Becomes Law

New to Trulieve is the ability to provide vaporizable products thanks to the passage of Senate Bill 220.

Senate Bill 220, deemed the "Putting Georgia's Patients First Act," crossed its final hurdle in late March when the Georgia House passed it, 144-21. SB 220 took effect on July 1 after being signed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

The 24-page measure renamed low THC oil as medical cannabis, eliminated the 5 percent THC cap by allowing use of medical marijuana products containing a total of 12,000 milligrams or less of THC and permitted medical marijuana to be consumed through vaping by anyone at least 21-years-old.

RELATED: Medical Marijuana Changes Approved By GA Lawmakers

In Georgia, medical marijuana can be used to treat seizures, terminal cancers, Parkinson's disease and post-traumatic stress disorder; but, SB 220 reduced limitations and added lupus to eligible conditions, CBS News previously reported.

According to Trulieve, severe arthritis was also added as a qualifying condition to consume medical cannabis.

Marijuana use for recreational purposes is still unlawful under SB 220, according to the law's text.

Davis said he supported the passage of SB 220 as it made way for patients to experience a quicker onset of medications through use of vaporization products. These include more concentrated products and vaporizable flowers.

"Historically, the low-dosage oil products that Georgia offered or was allowed to offer in the past - onset, that would take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half," he said. "Allowing the vaporizable products and inhalable products, patients can see onset of that medication in a lot shorter time, so anywhere from 5-10 minutes."

With nearly 50,000 registered patients in the state, Trulieve reported massive growth since SB 220 took effect.

Since Jan. 1, Davis said there has a been a 57 percent rise in the number of patients certified to take medical cannabis in Georgia.

"Ultimately, what I believe this is showing is that patients, residents of the state of Georgia, are starting to look for alternative medications rather than those typical pharmaceuticals that are prescribed," he said, "and they're looking for something that allows them to take control of their own health care, specifically not having all of the negative side effects that are associated with some of the traditional pharmaceutical medications."

How Can I Receive Medical Cannabis?

Before and during use, Davis recommends patients educate themselves.

"If one product doesn't work for you, continue talking to your doctor, continue working with dispensary staff to find one that does work," he said.

The journey toward receiving medical marijuana from Trulieve starts with meeting with a physician. Trulieve offers a "find a doctor" search tool on its website.

Additionally, Trulieve's "Doctor Days" are scheduled so patients can meet with onsite physicians to begin the certification process.

Patients will then receive an email from the state and will need to pay a fee to retrieve their medical cannabis cards, which are then mailed within a week, Davis said.

According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, the following groups of people can apply for a medical marijuana card:

• An adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law;
• Legal guardians of an adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law;
• Parents or legal guardians of a minor child who has one or more of the diseases specified in the new law. A doctor's certification is required.

Once the medical cannabis cards are received, Trulieve plans private consultations with patients and continues to educate patients.

In 2019, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission was tapped as the overseer of the licensing and sale of low THC oil and the dispensing of medical marijuana to registered patients.

Medical marijuana use is legal in 47 states, three U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This includes the entire Southeast.