(a) Every person who manufactures, distributes, or dispenses any controlled substances within this state or who proposes to engage in the manufacture, distribution, or dispensing of any controlled substance within this state must obtain annually a registration issued by the State Board of Pharmacy in accordance with its rules.

(b) Persons registered by the State Board of Pharmacy under this article to manufacture, distribute, dispense, or conduct research with controlled substances may possess, manufacture, distribute, dispense, or conduct research with those substances to the extent authorized by their registration and in conformity with this article.

(c) The following persons need not register and may lawfully possess controlled substances under this article:

(1) An agent or employee of any registered manufacturer, distributor, or dispenser of any controlled substance if he is acting in the usual course of his business or employment;

(2) A common or contract carrier or warehouseman, or any employee thereof, whose possession of any controlled substance is in the usual course of his business or employment;

(3) An ultimate user or a person in possession of any controlled substance pursuant to a lawful order of a practitioner or in lawful possession of a Schedule V substance; and

(4) Officers and employees of this state, or of a political subdivision of this state, or of the United States while acting in the course of their official duties.

(d) The State Board of Pharmacy may waive by rule the requirements for registration of certain manufacturers, distributors, or dispensers if it finds it consistent with the public health and safety.

(e) A separate registration is required at each principal place of business or professional practice where the applicant manufactures, distributes, or dispenses controlled substances.

(f) The State Board of Pharmacy, the director of the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency, or other drug agents designated by the State Board of Pharmacy for this purpose may inspect the establishment of a registrant or applicant for registration in accordance with the State Board of Pharmacy rules and the provisions of this article.

(g) The following persons are registered under this article and are exempt from the registration fee and registration application requirements of this article:

(1) Persons licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy as a pharmacist or a pharmacy under Chapter 4 of Title 26;

(2) Persons licensed as a physician, dentist, or veterinarian under the laws of the state to use, mix, prepare, dispense, prescribe, and administer drugs in connection with medical treatment to the extent provided by the laws of this state; and (3) An employee, agent, or representative of any person described in paragraph (1) or (2) of this subsection acting in the usual course of his employment or occupation and not on his own account, provided that suspension or revocation of licensure as set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection shall nullify the exemption as set forth in this subsection.