(a) The State Board of Pharmacy shall register an applicant to manufacture or distribute controlled substances included in Code Sections 16-13-25 through 16-13-29 unless it determines that the issuance of that registration would be inconsistent with the public interest. In determining the public interest, the State Board of Pharmacy shall consider the following factors:

(1) Maintenance of effective controls against diversion of controlled substances into other than legitimate medical, scientific, or industrial channels;

(2) Compliance with applicable state and local law;

(3) Any convictions of the applicant under any federal or state laws relating to any controlled substance;

(4) Past experience in the manufacture or distribution of controlled substances and the existence in the applicant's establishment of effective controls against illegal diversion of controlled substances;

(5) Furnishing by the applicant of false or fraudulent material in any application filed under this article;

(6) Suspension or revocation of the applicant's federal registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances as authorized by federal law;

(7) Suspension or revocation of the applicant's registration or license to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances, drugs, or narcotics in this state or any other state of the United States; and

(8) Any other factors relevant to and consistent with the public health and safety.

(b) Registration under subsection (a) of this Code section does not entitle a registrant to manufacture and distribute controlled substances in Schedule I or II other than those specified in the registration.

(c) Practitioners must be registered under state law to dispense any controlled substances or to conduct research with controlled substances in Schedules II through V if they are authorized to dispense or conduct research under the law of this state. The State Board of Pharmacy need not require separate registration under this Code section for practitioners engaging in research with nonnarcotic controlled substances in Schedules II through V where the registrant is already registered under this article in another capacity. Practitioners registered under federal law to conduct research with Schedule I substances may conduct research with Schedule I substances within this state upon furnishing the State Board of Pharmacy satisfactory evidence of that federal registration. Any practitioner conducting research with Schedule I controlled substances must obtain a separate registration with the State Board of Pharmacy.

(d) Compliance by manufacturers and distributors with the provisions of federal law respecting registration (excluding fees) entitles them to be registered under this article.