Courtesy: Ankit Patel
On Friday, Robins Pharmacy in Warner Robins, Georgia, will become the first pharmacy in the United States to sell medical cannabis.
CNN
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On Friday, Dr. Ankit Patel will become a pharmaceutical pioneer. He will be the first pharmacist to legally sell medical cannabis at a pharmacy counter in the United States.
“It’s awesome,” Patel said. “It’s historic.”
Patel’s Robins Pharmacy and two others in the same area, Omega Pharmacy and Allen Pharmacy Group, are the first to obtain a state license to sell low-THC medical cannabis. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the part of the cannabis plant that produces a “high” – one of the main reasons doctors may suggest patients use medical cannabis to relieve pain, nausea, insomnia and other problems. Products may include THC oil, tinctures, topicals, capsules and lozenges.
Robins Pharmacy is located in Warner Robins, about a 90-minute drive from Atlanta, an area that most people wouldn’t typically associate with being on the cutting edge of medical cannabis access. Although medical cannabis has been legal for decades in some parts of the United States, only Georgia is. allow pharmacies to sell medical cannabis. When that law was changed this year, it sparked enthusiasm from independent pharmacies across the state, but the change was slow to happen.
The Georgia General Assembly approved the distribution low dose THC oil in 2019, but it took years for the state to create the regulatory infrastructure necessary for its sale. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Georgia Board of Pharmacy Rules last month, it allowed pharmacies to sell THC.
“I’ve been following the laws in Georgia regarding his adoption, and I’ve been excited about this possibility for about four years now,” Patel said. “When they finally announced that independent pharmacies would be able to offer it, I immediately filled out the authorization form. I knew I had to get it.
Courtesy: Ankit Patel
“It’s great to be able to offer them an alternative option to the usual traditional pharmaceutical products,” said pharmacist Ankit Patel.
And more pharmacies will likely be open soon, the GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission said.
To obtain state approval, pharmacies submit an application and will be subject to inspection by the state Drug and Narcotics Agency. Inspectors check store safety, asking questions of staff to see what they know about the products and how to handle them. If the store is successful, the state will grant them a distribution license.
Pharmacies must keep cannabis products on the shelves with the rest of prescription medications.
“Like any other ‘dangerous’ drugs,” said Bill Posey, owner of Allen Pharmacy Group. “Blood pressure medications are also considered a ‘dangerous’ medication in these circumstances. Every day we sell drugs that I would consider more dangerous than medical cannabis.
Posey Pharmacy will begin selling low-dose THC products on Monday.
“We’ve already had someone call us asking when they could come in and make a purchase, so I know there’s a need,” Posey said.
Posey said he knows of several doctors who have been prescribing medical cannabis for years, but patients have to travel out of state to get it.
“It’s going to be awesome,” Posey said.
He sees cannabis as a good substitute for painkillers like opioids, or at least patients could take fewer opioids. Opioids often leave people feeling disconnected. People who use medical cannabis often say they feel more engaged and can return to normal activities.
Customers suffering from pain, certain stages of cancer, sickle cell anemia and Crohn’s disease will be able to purchase medical cannabis in Georgia. State law restricts sales to people with one of 16 diseases listed in the law. Patients interested in cannabis must obtain authorization from their doctor to use it and must apply for a card from the state. They then showed this card to the pharmacist or dispensary clerk to obtain the product. The pharmacist will scan the card to ensure the person is in the state database. Georgia pharmacies cannot sell to people from out of state. The store can sell up to 20 ounces of product and the state will track the sale.
Having a pharmacist to sell cannabis will have advantages, said Dr. Jordan Day, a pharmacist at Omega Pharmacy in the small town of Omega, Georgia. His pharmacy will begin selling THC products next week. Pharmacists can anticipate any potential bad drug interactions and help wean a patient off other medications that cannabis would replace.
“We’ll be able to show them the products, hopefully, give them a little bit of information, find out what they want to use them for,” Day said.
Day sees medicinal cannabis as a possible replacement for medications for pain, sleep and anxiety.
“With the involvement of the pharmacist and the doctor, it’s really the best thing the patient can have,” Day said.
Plus, as an independent pharmacist, Posey said they often have more time to spend with patients they’ve known for years. With cannabis, as with any drug, he will ensure that patients are using the medications correctly.
“We don’t just give people medicine and say, ‘OK, that’s it.’ We like to make sure we always treat everyone who comes in like family,” Posey said.
Pharmacists will also act as a sort of ambassadors to people who are less familiar with the product or the development of the law.
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“Right now we’re going through an opioid shortage, and I’ve talked to all of my painkiller patients about it, and let them know that if it’s something they’re interested in, it’s legal in the State of Georgia,” Patel said. “You know, it’s a much more natural and less addictive option than opioids.”
Patel said he doesn’t expect long lines Friday when sales begin, but he looks forward to educating his patients about the possibilities of cannabis.
“It’s great to be able to offer them an alternative option to your regular traditional pharmaceutical products,” Patel said.
