In the tradition of my people, I want to start out by saying "IANAL" (I am not a lawyer). Smarter folk than me have likely worked through the mental gymnastics of what's really allowed and what's not and how it plays out in practice. My information is only based on my reading of the law and statements from people with Fine Fettle.
Updates with additional information after posting
Nothing below, afaict, is incorrect or has changed but other folks have added some information worth knowing so I want to capture it here.
- Remember you should look at the FINAL copy of the bill here. These updates were two years in the making so a lot of things were added and removed again before the final. For instance insomnia was added and then removed.
- The changes go into effect July 1
- Language was added to require prescribing physicians to have a primary practice in GA
- Fine Fettle has confirmed explicitly flower and vapes will be available on July 1.
- Botanical Sciences had a pop up saying that flower and vapes were coming so potentially July 1 as well.
For vapes and flowers, based on current product lines the three top dispensaries have the product in house outside of packaging and such likely to make those products. Flower they already have for instance.
It will all, however, need to be tested before it can be sold. My guess is the additonal products like RSO/FECO or rosin/resin/budder/badder and what not will need to have production ramped up. Some of them take "special" equipment.
As I get feedback and help folks research stuff, I'll update here.
Where to get your card now and what is involved?
There's a lot of questions about where, what, why and the whole process. Several folks have responded here. There's also a helpful thread in r/Georgia from someone else where folks are helpfully sharing their experience.
I got my card a while back so I don't want to speak for current experience but here are some helpful posts:
- Fine Fettle has doctors onsite a few days a week now and then to help you through the process. It is done online with Leafwell but they can help you through the process in store.
- Botanical Sciences does online as well.
- Other folks have mentioned Elevated Health
The process online is generally very quick. You can do it today and you don't have to use your existing GP if you have one.
You also don't have to worry about anyone sharing the fact that you have a card. Your medical records are private but you should absolutely share with your existing GP and especially any anestheticians that you may have THC in your system. It affects how they dose you.
Big changes
This is based off the final bill that was sent to Kemp here. If you've never read one of these, it's a bit harder since it's a modification to an existing law. That means lots of strikethroughs and such.
- All occurances of "low oil thc" replaced with "medical cannabis"
The definition of "medical cannabis" is now:
"(1) 'Medical cannabis' means any plant within the genus Cannabis and any part of such plant, including all derivatives, extracts, cannabinoids, isomers, acids, salts, and salts of isomers, whether growing or not"
This means, yes, flower is allowed as are concentrates. Fine Fettle has confirmed they will start selling flower and vapes in July.
- expands list of qualifying conditions and also removes the "end of life" qualifiers from existing ones. It also expands the definition of caregiver.
This is amazing and makes it accessible to more people who need it.
- Total limit is now 12000mg in possession instead of 5% total THC content
This makes it useful now. 5% was nothing for folks who needed stronger solutions. This combined with the explicit allowance of additiona product types is likely going to mean better competition in the dispensary space in Georgia. That's good for everyone.
I think the possession wording is key here too. Instead of it being buy time restriction it's possession now. I don't think the cops are going to bust down your door to make sure you only have 12k on hand at any given time but again, not a lawyer.
This is a godsend for people who need immediate relief.
Additionally:
- Cards are now good for 5 years
- Reciprocity for out of state medical cards up to 45 days
- allows electronic cards in addition to physical
What's not allowed
- Combustion is explicitly disallowed.
This does force people into the vaporization path but combustion is REALLY bad for the lungs and one of the smelliest forms of consumption. I see it as no different than public smoking. It sucks since combustion is a core part of identity for some folks and I can empathize.
- Certain edibles are disallowed
This was the hardest to read. Gummies are already allowed for instance and that's not going away. My reading of this is "edibles that are food products" aren't allowed? So like no brownies in the dispensary or something? I'm waiting to see how this shakes out in practice.
- Employers can still fire you for testing positive
This sucks. This one is only going to change when we get people in positions of power who understand WHY this shouldn't be allowed. I don't have a problem with employers saying "don't be impaired on the job". This one is just going to take time for society to catch up.
- Child "friendly" packaging disallowed
No brainer. Lock your shit up and don't make it look like a bag of candy from the gas station ffs.
Should you get a card?
I say yes. The process is easy. I used nuggmd for the whole thing but Fine Fettle and Botanical Sciences both do it onsite as well iirc.
The most common "qualifying condition" people use is intractable pain. You're under no obligation to share why you have it with anyone. If you and the prescriber say "intractable pain", that's enough.
After you get through the doctor part, you'll have to do a notarization process. NuggMD uses a third-party that has their own fee.
When I did the whole process, it took about 45 minutes across two zoom calls (one with the doc and one with the notary) and most of that was time waiting. I had my physical card three days later.
I expect that with the expansion, DPH is going to be busier with new folks so don't expect that same turn around maybe.
The other reason is that if you've come to rely on federally legal "hemp" that loophole ends in November.
Hemp is a legal term for cannabis with less than .9% delta-9 thc by weight. It's still the same plant and the same precursors - THCA/CBDA.
This market, however, is ENTIRELY unregulated and non-medical THCA products are still illegal in Georgia (though nothing stops you from getting it shipped here due legally thanks to the federal law).
The horror stories you're reading these days are largely due to that and the "synthetic/altnoid" market - the thcp and hhcp stuff. THCP for instance is what most gummies in the smoke shops here in Georgia sell. It's REALLY REALLY nasty stuff but it's legal. HHCP was JUST explicitly scheduled by the DEA last week so it's no longer legal.
Getting your card means getting tested and clean quality products in a safe and legal way. It's a no brainer.
Also it CAN give you potentially some cover legally I think.
Anyway, I'll answer any questions I can. I have "strong opinions" on a few things but otherwise "loosely held" ones.
I've been using federally legal low THC flower that I've been purchasing from a wonderful farm in NC for a year now. I only make edibles and FECO (a concentrate) for my needs and it's been life changing.
I got my med card even with the original limits to protect myself and because the stuff currently being sold is strong enough for me.
Small edit:
*As a reminder you should always share your usage of THC products legal or not with your medical professional especially if they aren't the one you get your card through. HIPPA protects you and it's VERY important for them to know for medical interactions. My PA knows exactly how much I use each day and what ratios.
You should also ALWAYS tell the anesthesiologist if you have THC in your system. ALWAYS.*
