Correction note: A previous version of this story incorrectly indicated that the company Elevated Health MD, with which Living Well Pharmacy is partnered, is the same as a the clinic located in Evans, called Elevated Health Augusta. This is not the case, as Elevated Health Augusta is an unrelated entity, not partnered with Living Well Pharmacy and is uninvolved with the dispensing of marijuana registry cards. The error has been corrected.
Living Well Pharmacy has become the first independent pharmacy in Augusta licensed to offer medical cannabis products.
The Georgia Board of Pharmacy began processing applications for pharmacies to sell medical products with low-THC oil in October of last year, making Georgia the first state in the U.S. to allow pharmacies to sell medical cannabis.
Georgia Hope Act
Georgia passed the Georgia Hope Act in 2019, allowing the sale of low-THC medical cannabis oil. The state launched its registry for Georgia patients permitted to possess low-THC oil in 2015.
Since receiving its license on Aug. 19, Living Well became one of some 40 independent pharmacies in the state authorized to distribute low-THC medical marijuana, offering patients products from Botanical Sciences, a medical cannabis provider based in Glennville, Ga. The products are available as tinctures, topical creams, capsules, squares and lozenges.
MORE: Florida-based medical cannabis company opening dispensary in Evans
Botanical Sciences is one of two such providers licensed in Georgia to produce—that is, grow, cultivate and provide for dispensaries—medical cannabis, the other being Tallahassee, Fl.-based Trulieve, which opened one of its dispensaries—distinct from an independent pharmacy licensed to dispense—in Evans last year.
Vic Johnson, the owner of Living Well, went before the Augusta Planning Commission in March of this year, as he was still working to obtain his dispensary license, requesting a special exception from the city to allow his pharmacy to dispense the products despite being within 1,000 feet of a church. The commission voted to postpone the request at the time, but would go on to approve the exception in July, leading to its approval by the Augusta Commission on July 16.
Living Well has also partnered with Elevated Health MD, a company based in Peachtree, Ga. via which patients can consult with a physician about becoming registered to obtain a medical cannabis card.
“Through this collaboration with Botanical Sciences, we are proud to offer the patients of Augusta with trusted and high-quality medical cannabis products,” said Johnson. “This is a major milestone in our mission toward expanding knowledge surrounding the benefits of medical cannabis and avoiding a hassle when patients need relief.”
Living Well Pharmacy is located at 3736 Mike Padgett Highway in Augusta.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
