This story was originally published by The Telegraph.
A medical marijuana company has jumped into Georgia by opening a facility in Macon spanning more than 100,000 square feet that is expected to create more than 100 jobs.
Fine Fettle Georgia, one of the state’s licensed medical cannabis providers, hosted its grand opening and a tour of its Macon facility Wednesday with Mayor Lester Miller and local state legislators. The facility represents an investment of more than $40 million in Macon, according to Ben Zachs, Fine Fettle Dispensary’s chief operating officer.
“This Macon facility is where Fine Fettle will grow the cannabis plants for all of its Georgia sales. It’s a state-of-the-art facility built to the highest standards,” he said. “It’s already created good, permanent jobs for the Macon area, and the plan is to employ 120 people once at full operations.”
Credit: Katie Tucker
Credit: Katie Tucker
Georgia’s unique headstart on medical marijuana sales
In 2023, Georgia set itself up to be the first state to sell medical marijuana in pharmacies, four years after state lawmakers passed an important bill to pave the way.
On April 2, 2019, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 324 titled “Georgia’s Hope Act,” which authorizes the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the regulated licensing of limited, in-state cultivation, production, manufacturing, and sale of low-THC oil as well as dispensing to registered patients on the state’s Low-THC Oil Registry.
Patel’s Robins Pharmacy in Warner Robins and two others in the same region, Omega Pharmacy and the Allen Pharmacy Group, were the first to get a state license to sell low-THC medical cannabis, according to CNN.
Credit: Katie Tucker
Credit: Katie Tucker
The outlet reported in October of last year that while medical cannabis had been legal for decades in some parts of the United States, only Georgia was allowing pharmacies to sell medical cannabis.
The cannabis industry continues to be one of the fastest-growing businesses globally. Retail cannabis sales are projected to be upwards of $53.5 billion by 2027, according to analysis from MJBizDaily.com.
The first medical marijuana dispensary opened in Macon in April 2023.
How did Fine Fettle get into a Georgia marijuana business?
Fine Fettle was one of six companies awarded licenses by the state of Georgia to grow and sell medical cannabis products that may provide relief to patients of all ages suffering from a range of ailments.
Credit: Katie Tucker
Credit: Katie Tucker
Zachs said the company currently operates stores in Connecticut and Massachusetts and is committed to being a long-term corporate citizen that’s active in the Macon community.
“From a distribution standpoint, is there anywhere better than Macon which is smack dab in the center of Georgia - we can ensure the availability of product most visibly and easily from anywhere else in the state,” he said. “Additionally, there’s an incredible amount of talent in this area between community colleges, universities, and a strong manufacturing and farming area around.”
Zachs said with plants now able to produce medical cannabis available to state license holders, Fine Fettle plans to open five more stores this year, with additional locations in Athens, Evans, Peachtree Corners, Decatur and Smyrna.
Fine Fettle sits on 118,000 square feet and will include 50,000 square feet of canopy, a full lab, full packaging system and more.
The facility is located at 700 Joe Tamplin Industrial Boulevard.
Credit: The Telegraph
Credit: The Telegraph
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