Dalton Welcomes First Medical Cannabis Pharmacy for Patients

Local health professionals have established the first medical cannabis pharmacy in Dalton, Georgia, aimed at providing alternative treatment options for patients with various health conditions. The pharmacy, named The Healing Card and Elevated Rx, officially opened its doors in July 2023 at 1507 Professional Court.

Hannah Jones, a registered nurse with nearly 19 years of experience in the community, co-founded the pharmacy alongside local neurologist Juan Gonzalez and pharmacist Jason Sneed. Jones expressed the growing need for alternative therapies, especially for patients suffering from ailments such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease. She noted that traditional medications can often be “sedating, addictive or cause lots of problems that we all well know.”

Jones emphasized the importance of a more natural approach to treatment. “If you’re able to avoid or minimize negative side effects in favor of having a natural approach that’s effective, a lot of people really can get behind that,” she stated.

The establishment of the pharmacy comes after years of medical cannabis being legal in Georgia, though access remained limited for residents in Northwest Georgia. Jones explained that many patients had to travel to the Metro Atlanta area or Savannah for similar services, creating barriers for those in Dalton.

Through The Healing Card, patients can apply for a cannabis card, which is necessary to purchase products at the pharmacy. The process is straightforward: if patients have one of the approved diagnoses, which include chronic pain, PTSD, and various cancers, their medical information is uploaded to the state’s THC registry, managed by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Cards are typically mailed within one to two business days, allowing patients to access the pharmacy promptly.

Jones highlighted that the medical cannabis program has been in place in Georgia for nearly a decade, but awareness and utilization have been low in Northwest Georgia until now. “We’re helping to bridge that gap and to hopefully break the stigma of medical cannabis,” she commented.

The pharmacy collaborates with Botanical Sciences, a licensed grower based in South Georgia, ensuring that products are regulated and reliable. Jones pointed out that the product chain of custody is stringent, differentiating their offerings from unregulated smoke shops.

Patients can access various forms of cannabis products, including oils, capsules, gummies, and topical applications. “Straight oil is called tincture,” Jones explained, describing how the pharmacy provides a range of delivery methods tailored to patient needs.

Encouragingly, early feedback has been positive. Jones noted that they have already observed significant improvements in patients’ conditions, particularly those who have been able to reduce their reliance on traditional pain medications. “We knew it was going to be effective because that’s what the literature has been saying for years, but it’s really cool to be able to see in practice,” she reflected.

Looking ahead, the pharmacy aims to expand its offerings to include smokable forms of cannabis, pending legislative decisions expected in January 2024. Currently, smokable cannabis remains illegal in Georgia. Jones expressed optimism about the potential for quick-acting treatments, stating, “If somebody’s in the middle of a panic attack and they take a gummy, it’s going to take an hour to get relief. But with medical smoke, you’re going to get relief instantaneously.”

The team at The Healing Card is also focused on addressing the needs of families, including those with minors facing complex medical issues. They provide caregiver cards for family members of patients in hospice care, ensuring access to necessary medications.

Jones, who has her own chronic health challenges, shared her personal experience with cannabis as a treatment option. “I can treat it with some topical lotion or a gummy and get pain relief without feeling inebriated,” she noted.

The opening of the pharmacy marks a significant milestone in Dalton’s healthcare landscape. Jones believes that their service will only continue to grow, and she is dedicated to enhancing public awareness of the benefits of medical cannabis. “We do expect to get smokable marijuana eventually,” she concluded, emphasizing the pharmacy’s commitment to providing effective and regulated cannabis treatments for the community.