Find a Doctor & Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Georgia
Is cannabis legal in Georgia?
At present, Cannabis in Georgia is illegal for recreational use; however, limited medical use is allowed in the form of low THC oil that is less than 5% THC, and has been legal since 2015.
The formation of the states medical marijuana laws is due to Georgia House Bill 1. It is intended solely to protect qualified persons from criminal prosecution for possessing low THC oil for medicinal purposes.
A Georgia medical marijuana card is referred to as a Low THC Oil card. The patient registry is managed by the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Cannabis is decriminalized in the cities of Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, and Athens, and a few other cities.
Who qualifies for a medical cannabis card in Georgia? Are there qualifying medical conditions for medical cannabis?
To qualify for a Georgia medical card, Georgia’s medical marijuana law requires that a licensed licensed medical marijuana doctor verifies that you live with at least one of the following qualifying conditions to participate in the Low THC Oil Patient Registry:
- Cancer, when such diagnosis is end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage
- Seizure disorders related to the diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma related head injuries
- Multiple sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage
- Crohn’s disease
- Mitochondrial disease
- Parkinson’s disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage
- Sickle cell disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage
- Tourette’s syndrome, when such syndrome is diagnosed as severe
- Autism spectrum disorder, when (a) patient is 18 years of age or more, or (b) patient is less than 18 years of age and diagnosed with severe autism
- Epidermolysis bullosa
- Alzheimer’s disease, when such disease is severe or end stage
- AIDS when such syndrome is severe or end stage
- Peripheral neuropathy, when symptoms are severe or end stage
- Patient is in hospice program, either as inpatient or outpatient
- Intractable pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma for a patient who is at least 18 years of age
Legal guardians of an adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law; or parents or legal guardians of a minor child who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law may also apply on behalf of a medical marijuana patients.
How do I get a medical cannabis card in Georgia?
The basic steps to obtaining medical marijuana and participating in the Low THC Oil Registry in Georgia are as follows:
Patients and caregivers of patients who believe they may be eligible are required to consult with their physician about the possibility of obtaining a Low THC Oil Card allowing them to possess 20 fluid ounces of Low THC Oil within the State of Georgia. If they do not have a physician able to do this, a medical marijuana doctor can be accessed through Compassionate Clinics of America.
A waiver form must be signed by both the applicant and the doctor and a physician certification form must be signed by the medical marijuana doctor. The physician will keep the original waiver and certification form in the patient’s medical records.
If approved by your physician, for medical cannabis oil, the patient or patient’s caregiver’s information will be entered into the Department of Public Health “Low THC Oil Registry” and a Low THC Oil Card will be issued to the patient and/or caregiver.
Patients and caregivers will be notified when the cards are ready for pickup (within 15 business days) from one of 18 public health offices that distribute Low THC Oil Cards. Patients waiting for their card can Check Card Status to know when they’ll be able to participate in the Georgia medical marijuana program.
Once you have your medical marijuana card, you can purchase low THC oil from a dispensary, a list of which can be found at the GA Medical Cannabis Commission website.
What are the benefits of having a medical cannabis card?
There are several benefits to having a medical marijuana card in Georgia, the largest being legal protection.
While state and federal law differ, being a legal medical marijuana patient gives you protection under Georgia law, and allows you to legally possess Low THC Cannabis Oil. It is not legal to possess, purchase, or use marijuana in Georgia for recreational purposes.
The only way to use medical marijuana and purchase Low THC Oil is to have a Low THC Oil Patient Registry Card. Those who purchase Low THC Oil from medical marijuana dispensaries in Georgia are exempt from paying taxes.
Do I need a doctor’s referral to obtain medical marijuana?
Yes, the state’s medical marijuana laws prefer that the doctor that treats you for a medical marijuana qualifying medical condition is the one that will certify patients for the Low THC Oil Patient Registry.
However, if you do not have a doctor to help you get medical cannabis, a medical marijuana doctor from Compassionate Clinics of America will help qualified medical marijuana patients get a Low THC Registry Card.
How much does a medical marijuana card cost?
The fee for a Low THC Registry Card is $25 per new card. Each individual will be asked to pay for the Low THC Oil card when it is picked up at their closest Public Health office.
The cost to certify patients for the Low THC Oil Registry through a licensed medical marijuana doctor at Compassionate Clinics of America is $179 for new patients, and $149 for a Low THC Oil Registry renewal.
We offer Sezzle payment options to break up the cost into separate, affordable payments.
What information and forms are required when a patient applies for a Georgia medical marijuana card?
If you are working with a medical marijuana doctor from Compassionate Clinics of America, please provide information about your medical history or records that show you are living with one or more of the qualifying medical conditions for the Low THC Oil Registry.
If you need us to work with you on a diagnosis, we also offer that service so that you are able to become a medical marijuana patient and access medical marijuana in Georgia.
How long is my medical marijuana card valid in Georgia?
The Low THC Oil Card will be valid for two (2) years from the date it is issued. The expiration date will be printed on the front of the card.
After that time, you will need a renewal of your certification from a licensed medical cannabis doctor, which you can obtain from Compassionate Clinics of America.
At this time, you may request that the Department of Public Health update and confirm information within the registry to get your new card. Please allow 15 days before you can pick up your card from a public health office near you.
What is required for a medical marijuana card renewal?
If you have worked with a doctor from Compassionate Clinics of America in the past, we will have your medical records on file in order to renew your medical marijuana certification so that you can remain on the Low THC Oil Registry.
If you are working with us for the first time. please provide medical records that show you are living with one or more of the qualifying medical conditions for the Low THC Oil Registry.
If you need us to work with you on a diagnosis, we also offer that service so that you are able to become a medical marijuana patient and access medical marijuana in Georgia.
I’ve heard that I can renew my medical cannabis card in Georgia for $20. Where can I renew my medical cannabis card in Georgia for $20?
Please be advised that there are no providers that exist that will renew your card for just $20. The cost is $149 for a Low THC Oil Registry renewal with Compassionate Clinics of America. If you are not approved for your renewal, you get 100% of your fees back.
Are registry identification cards from other state medical marijuana programs valid in the Georgia department administering medical cannabis?
No, only those from the Low THC Oil Registry are valid within the Georgia Department of Public Health and to obtain medical marijuana low THC oil products from licensed dispensaries in Georgia.
Per the state’s medical marijuana laws, you must be a resident of Georgia to be placed on the Low THC Oil Registry.
How long does it take to process my application?
The Low THC Oil Card typically arrives at the local Public Health office between 7-10 days after a physician enters you into the Low THC Oil Registry.
Can a doctor complete a Georgia medical marijuana card certification via telehealth?
Yes! The process to get a medical marijuana doctor to certify patients is all done through an online consultation!
If you live with a qualifying condition and you are ready to explore Georgia medical marijuana and obtaining your Georgia medical marijuana card, Compassionate Clinics of America can help you through ALL the steps.
When does the physician certification expire?
A certification from a licensed medical marijuana doctor is valid for the duration of the Georgia medical marijuana card.
If you get your certification from Compassionate Clinics of America, we will remind you via email to get your renewal so that you are not without your cannabis medicine and that your placement on the Low THC Oil Registry does not lapse.
Questions About Medical Cannabis Certification in Georgia?
Feel free to connect with us anytime at [email protected] or call us at (888) 611-4820.
To access Frequently Asked Questions for Georgia’s medical cannabis programs, see the below link to their website:
