Trulieve Cannabis Corp. today commemorated the expansion of Georgia’s medical cannabis program with a ceremonial first sale at its Marietta dispensary, marking the first time certain flower and vaporization products are available to patients in the state.
The first purchase was made by retired Army veteran Desi Cleveland and included a Roll One Clutch All in One vape and Modern Flower whole flower, along with Trulieve RSO Troches and Momenta Topical Cream.
“I served my country and came home with injuries that affect me every single day. For years, the options I had weren’t enough — or came with costs I wasn’t willing to pay,” said Cleveland, an Army veteran from Columbus. “Having access to a vaporized product that provides fast-acting relief when I need it most – alongside the other administration methods I already trust – is something I’ve been waiting for. Today marks a big step forward for veterans in Georgia.”
The launch follows the enactment of Senate Bill 220, known as the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act,” which was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on May 12. The measure significantly expands Georgia’s medical cannabis program by allowing flower and vaporization products for patients 21 and older, adding qualifying conditions such as lupus, HIV and inflammatory bowel disease, and removing “end-stage” restrictions for patients with conditions including cancer, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
“We are thrilled to provide Georgia patients with a wider variety of products at our dispensaries and independent pharmacies,” said Trulieve Chief Executive Officer Kim Rivers. “We applaud Governor Kemp and the state legislature for recognizing the patient need and addressing it with SB 220.”
Trulieve said the expansion also allows independent pharmacies in Georgia with state licensure and DEA registration to sell medical cannabis products to qualified patients, following the federal move in April to place medical marijuana in Schedule III. The company said it has begun supplying products to more than a dozen pharmacies and expects to expand pharmacy distribution this summer.
“We are proud to partner with Trulieve to offer their trusted products to our patients,” said Parth Patel, PharmD, owner of Bonaire Pharmacy. “Pharmacists are trusted healthcare providers, and being able to provide medical cannabis alongside our patients’ other medications is a natural extension of the care we already deliver, in their convenient, neighborhood pharmacy setting.”
Trulieve said all six of its Georgia locations are hosting launch-day events with patient consultations, product specials, giveaways and education on program enrollment and newly available products.
The company currently operates medical marijuana businesses in Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Trulieve recently began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol TRLV.
