Dalton Welcomes Its First Medical Cannabis Pharmacy for Patients

Patients in Dalton, Georgia, now have access to medical cannabis through the opening of the area’s first pharmacy dedicated to this purpose. The establishment, named The Healing Card and Elevated Rx, aims to provide alternatives for individuals with various medical conditions, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Hannah Jones, a local nurse with nearly 19 years of experience, emphasized the need for effective treatments that minimize side effects commonly associated with traditional medications.

Jones, along with local physician Dr. Juan Gonzalez and pharmacist Jason Sneed, began this venture to offer a more natural approach to pain management. “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. Their pharmacy, located at 1507 Professional Court, offers a range of cannabis-based products that have been shown to be beneficial for patients.

The partnership began in the summer when Gonzalez expressed interest in cannabis medicine after prescribing it to some of his patients. At the same time, Sneed was pursuing a similar initiative. Together, they developed a business model to introduce medical cannabis services to Northwest Georgia. “We joined forces in June or July,” Jones explained. “Dr. Gonzalez and I do The Healing Card, which allows people to sign up for a cannabis card with the registry, and that’s required to go to the pharmacy to purchase the product.”

To obtain a cannabis card, clients first visit The Healing Card to determine if they qualify based on their medical conditions. Jones noted that over 90% of applicants meet the criteria, particularly for diagnoses associated with chronic pain or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Once the necessary medical information is submitted to the Georgia Department of Public Health, patients typically receive their cannabis card within one to two business days.

The qualifying conditions for medical cannabis in Georgia include not only cancer and PTSD but also amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, and other severe ailments. Jones pointed out that although the medical cannabis program in Georgia has existed for a decade, awareness and access have primarily been limited to metropolitan areas. “Nobody in Northwest Georgia was really knowledgeable about it until recently,” she said, highlighting the significance of their new pharmacy in improving local access.

Jones also addressed the misconceptions surrounding medical cannabis, noting that the products available at their pharmacy are highly regulated and distinct from those found in unlicensed shops. “This stuff is highly regulated. It’s very different from the mom and pop smoke shops that we see around town,” she said. The team’s commitment to quality ensures that patients receive consistent and safe products.

The pharmacy offers various forms of medical cannabis, including oils, capsules, and topical applications. Currently, smoking cannabis is illegal in Georgia, but Jones mentioned that legislation could change in January, potentially allowing for the sale of vape products by mid-2024. “If it passes in January, Botanical Sciences thinks the vapes will be ready in July,” she stated.

In a short time since opening, The Healing Card and Elevated Rx have already made a notable impact in the community. “We have seen a major difference already in certain cases,” Jones noted. Patients previously reliant on narcotics for chronic pain have reported reductions in their medication use, a promising outcome that aligns with existing literature on the efficacy of medical cannabis.

The pharmacy is also positioned to assist patients receiving end-of-life care. “We can sign families up for caregiver cards,” Jones explained, allowing caregivers to purchase medical cannabis on behalf of patients in hospice. This service is crucial for individuals who may be unable to travel to the pharmacy themselves.

As the first medical cannabis pharmacy in Dalton and the surrounding region, Jones believes they are paving the way for greater awareness and acceptance of cannabis as a legitimate medical treatment. “While medical cannabis has been legal in the state for 10 years, it’s taken so long to make its way to North Georgia because you just have to have a champion for that,” she said.

Through the pharmacy’s efforts, Jones hopes to eliminate the stigma surrounding medical cannabis and highlight its potential benefits. “I think many people already have an understanding that it does help with pain and anxiety,” she said, emphasizing the importance of reliable and regulated products for patient care.

As The Healing Card and Elevated Rx continue to expand their services, they are optimistic about the future of medical cannabis in the region. “We do expect to get smokable marijuana eventually,” Jones remarked, noting the potential for immediate relief that smoking cannabis can provide. “It’s definitely coming.”

The opening of this pharmacy signifies a significant milestone for patients in Dalton, providing them with access to effective treatments that prioritize both health and well-being.