The number of Georgians obtaining a state-issued card to buy medical marijuana is rapidly climbing — by about 1,000 every month — and some changes in the works may make it easier for new patients.
Patients and caregivers who want to buy the product must obtain a Low-THC Oil Registry card from the Department of Public Health following approval from a physician. Georgians can access medical marijuana for a wide variety of conditions including end-stage cancer, Crohn's disease, Parkinson's disease, autism, AIDS, PTSD and intractable pain.
Among recent changes made by state legislators, Georgians will soon be able to have the cards mailed to their home address instead of having to pick them up in person at a local health department. The cards will also be good for five years, up from two years.
"Just being able to get access to your card as soon as you are approved and not have to wait months can make all of the difference," said Andrew L. Turnage, executive director of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, which oversees the regulated licensing, in-state cultivation, production, manufacturing and sale of low-THC oil. Some patients have waited months for their registry cards to be issued, he said. "We are not talking about people having a bad day. In many, many cases, they tried everything and they have done everything their doctor can think of. This is their last resort."
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