Georgia
Georgia veterans fighting for expanded access to medical cannabis
Georgia veterans fight for low THC oil access
Georgia is home to more than 600,000 veterans according to US Census data. More than 30% of them live with a disability, but not all qualify to be on the state’s low THC oil registry. One veteran who spoke with FOX 5 Atlanta says he wants to change that.
ATLANTA – There’s a growing push for expansion of medical cannabis in Georgia and some veterans in the state are among the group hoping to see more access for servicemen and women struggling to adjust to civilian life.
“Life is worth living and life is tough…life is a daily fight,” said Gary Herber.
More than a decade has passed since Herber’s time serving in the army came to an end, but the Purple Heart recipient says every day is still a battle fueled by PTSD.
Herber says he’s found some relief in managing it since becoming one of the 14,000 Georgia residents on the state’s low THC oil registry.
“For those of us that just know that fight every single day, a program like this and medicines like this can make that fight a little easier,” he explained.
Georgia is home to more than 600,000 veterans according to US Census data.
More than 30 percent of them live with a disability, but not all qualify to be on the state’s low THC oil registry. Herber says he wants to change that.
“Look into these programs…it’s made a huge difference in my life.”
He’s now working alongside physicians and officials with Fine Fettle, one of six dispensaries licensed in the state, to push for increased access.
“Some of the biggest things with PTSD is the nightmares, the night terrors, the social anxiety. I see a lot of that,” said Dr. Tiffani Forbes.
Currently, PTSD is one of 17 disorders that qualify individuals to join the state registry.
Forbes says low THC oil is formulated to help people dealing with those issues and she hopes to see Anxiety and Depression, among other disorders, added to that list as well as expanded access to cannabis in other forms.
“Here in the state of Georgia, we haven’t included flower, smoke or capable products…it’s certainly not for everyone but it is surely the quickest onset of action when we’re talking about giving people relief,” she added.
This will likely be a hot topic as state lawmakers reconvene for the upcoming legislative session. Lawmakers will head back to the Georgia State Capitol on Jan. 13, 2025.
CATOOSA COUNTY, Ga. — Animal shelters in Northwest Georgia are running out of space, with Catoosa and Walker County unable to take in more animals as the number of strays rises during the summer months.
Catoosa County officials say the county’s animal shelter is maxed out and can no longer accept animals.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
The shelter has room for 80 pets but is currently over capacity, limiting how much it can help when large animal rescues happen in nearby areas.
“I can’t speak for everybody, but I can say that working in animal care, summertime is definitely one of the worst times for us and for the animals more,” Abby Lynch, the community outreach and kennel officer for the Catoosa County Animal Shelter says.
Catoosa County officials say summer is when dogs and cats breed because the weather is nice, leading to more strays than usual.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
The Walker County Animal Shelter is also dealing with capacity issues.
The shelter says it has brought in 73 animals since the beginning of July.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
“In that same time, we have done 28 adoptions, which 28 adoptions in two weeks sounds great. But when you’re doing the math of 73 animals in and 28 animals going out, not super great,” says Melissa Smith, director of the Walker County Animal Shelter.
Catoosa County has helped neighboring counties during past crises.
Image via Catoosa County Animal Control
“We’ve assisted Dade County in the past with similar situations, and that’s when really rescues and shelters help each other,” says Dylan McColollum, director of Catoosa County Animal Control.
Dade County only got an animal shelter this year.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
In Georgia, only 61 out of 159 counties have animal shelters, making it more important for shelters to have enough capacity to help their own communities and assist neighboring counties when needed.
“We’re just grateful that we have our own shelter and can take care of our our county and its needs, and we’re happy to assist if other counties need our assistance,” McColollum says.
Image: Walker County Animal Shelter
Adoptions at the Catoosa County Animal Shelter are currently free because of donors. See available animals here.
They were designed to hold a drink, but cups produced in Rome, Georgia, have become one of the FIFA Men’s World Cup’s most unexpected souvenirs.
Inside the Top Cup plant in Rome, millions of cups were created to celebrate the world’s biggest sporting event.
“We made 10 million over 70 different graphics for the World Cup,” said Rome native and Top Cup General Manager Zach Dixon.
The plant in north Georgia produces up to 750,000 cups a day.
“We’ve always been really proud of the cup … but the World Cup has obviously taken it to another level,” said Top Cup CEO David Cuthbert.
Fans have been taking them home from matches. Some have even been listed for sale online.
“We’ve always been really proud of the cup… but the World Cup has obviously taken it to another level,” said Cuthbert.
Dixon said they begin the process with massive coils of aluminum, each weighing about 30,000 pounds. The metal is stamped, stretched, washed, and moved down the line.
The plant produces about 1,100 cups every minute.
Ricardo Marques, the senior vice president of marketing for Michelob ULTRA, said that there have been venue-specific, match-specific, and Finals-specific stadium cups for the World Cup. There are also three separate red, white, and blue designs available for fans at bars and restaurants around the U.S.
“We’ve seen an incredible response to the collection. Together, these commemorative cups give fans a unique keepsake and a lasting reminder of an unforgettable FIFA World Cup experience and the moments that brought millions of people together through the world’s game,” Marques said.
Cuthbert said his company has seen how the World Cup has done wonders for metro Atlanta businesses.
“Our team in Rome, Georgia takes tremendous pride in helping bring this fan experience to life for one of the world’s biggest sporting events,” he said.
So when soccer fans celebrate the surprise victory or mourn their last-minute loss, they’re doing so with a little piece of Georgia.
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