Georgia Medical Marijuana Doctors
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✓ State-certified cannabis physicians
✓ Expertise in certifying for all GA qualifying conditions
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How to Get Your GA Medical Marijuana Card
Georgia established its medical cannabis program in 2015 with the passage of Haleigh’s Hope Act (HB 1), which authorized qualifying patients and caregivers to possess low-THC cannabis oil and created the state’s patient registry.
Most recently, effective July 1, 2026, the Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act (SB 220), substantially modernized and expanded the program by replacing the state’s low-THC oil framework with a broader medical cannabis program, eliminating the 5% THC concentration cap, expanding qualifying conditions and authorized product forms, and revising patient, caregiver, physician-certification, and registry requirements.
Run by the Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia medical cannabis registry cards are valid for five years; however, an annual physician certification is generally required to maintain eligibility. There is an exemption for patients with incurable or irreversible conditions.
Qualified patients may purchase medical marijuana products, with use of their GA (Medical Marijuana ID Card), at licensed dispensaries.
Qualifying Conditions
Georgia patients with the following conditions may qualify for medical marijuana treatment:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Autism spectrum disorder, when such disorder is diagnosed for a patient who is at least 18 years of age, or severe autism, when diagnosed for a patient who is less than 18 years of age
- Any cancer except skin cancer, unless it is metastatic skin cancer
- Epidermolysis bullosa
Patient is in hospice program, either as inpatient or outpatien - Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), when such disease is diagnosed as Stage III
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Intractable pain
- Lupus
- Mitochondrial disease
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral neuropathy, when such symptoms are diagnosed as severe
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- resulting from direct exposure to or the witnessing of a trauma for a patient who is at least 18 years of age
- Seizure disorders related to a diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries
- Sickle cell disease
- Tourette’s syndrome
Georgia FAQS
First, you will schedule an appointment with an eligible Georgia physician. Provide the physician with identification/residency documentation, which is needed for state certification. The physician will evaluate you and determine whether you have a qualifying condition and meet Georgia’s other requirements.
If you meet the requirements for medical marijuana, the physician will register you with the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry at the Georgia Department of Health (DPH). The Georgia DPH will review your information and if complete, will email you a payment link to pay the state fee of $30. Once payment has been processed, DPH ships the Medical Marijuana card to your mailing address; a signature is required for delivery.
After you receive your card from the state, you can then purchase medical marijuana from Georgia’s regulated medical cannabis dispensaries.
CannaMD physicians will be in Georgia soon – join our waitlist via the form above!
- A patient who is at least 18 years of age, has one or more qualifying conditions, and is a Georgia resident
- A parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a patient who is less than 18 years of age with a qualifying condition
- An adult who is designated by a patient with a qualifying condition as being an individual authorized to assist them with purchasing, possessing, and administering medical cannabis or products for the patient’s use
- A health care institution as defined in OCGA § 51-1-29.5, where a patient is receiving health or medical care for a qualifying condition, and if the institution agrees to allow the patient to possess and use medical cannabis on its premises.
Note: Only physician-certified patients and caregivers with an active Medical Cannabis card are legally allowed to possess medical cannabis in Georgia.
The Medical Cannabis Patient Registry allows physicians fully licensed to practice in Georgia, and whose principal place of practice is located in the state, to certify and manage patients who have a qualifying condition to obtain medical cannabis legally. Annual physician certification is the only way patients can access medical cannabis in the state.
Patients can access the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry at the Georgia Department of Health (DPH) here.
Go to the website for the Georgia Department of Public Health, at Medical Cannabis | Georgia Department of Public Health. On the medical cannabis page, you will see an option to “Check Card Status” – this is a link to check your Medical Cannabis card status.
Generally no, because the Georgia Department of Public Health specifically states that patients must be a Georgia resident to be certified and entered into their Medical Cannabis Patient Registry. They require proof of Georgia residency as part of the registration process.
The Georgia Department of Public Health currently states that patients seeking certification must be Georgia residents. When identification does not show a current Georgia address, they require additional documentation demonstrating Georgia residency.
A patient who is at least 18 years of age meets the requirements for medical marijuana in Georgia. Also a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a patient who is less than 18 years of age may also meet the requirements if they have a qualifying condition.
The Georgia Department of Public Health requires proof of Georgia residency. A current Georgia driver’s license or Georgia state ID showing the patient’s current Georgia address is sufficient. Other forms of identification—including a passport, military ID, or out-of-state driver’s license—require additional proof of Georgia residency, such as a utility bill, phone bill, medical bill, or pay stub showing the patient’s full name and street address.
Our physician may need to request your medical records to certify you for medical marijuana.
The current Georgia Medical Cannabis State Card fee is $30. (Please note this fee is separate from the fee we charge for the physician certification appointment).
Georgia allows the following routes of administration:
- Oils
- Tinctures
- Capsules
- Ingestibles
- Transdermal patches
- Lotions
- Vaporizers
No Smoking: Smoking or burning raw cannabis is strictly prohibited by Georgia law.
No Candies or Cookies: Production of traditional candies and cookies is banned.
THC Caps Removed: The old 5% THC cap is eliminated, replaced by a limit of 1,200 mg of THC per package and a total legal possession limit of 12,000 mg of THC for registered cardholders.
Public Use Banned: Using medical cannabis in public spaces remains illegal.
In Georgia, it is important to understand the requirements for your Annual Certification versus the state’s Five-Year Card. Although Georgia’s medical cannabis registry cards are valid for five years, it is generally required that you complete an annual physician certification to maintain eligibility. State law does provide an exemption for patients with incurable or irreversible conditions.
PATIENT RIGHTS
The following is not legal advice and is intended for educational purposes only.
Confidentiality
Information and records maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health for purposes of administering the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry are confidential.
Georgia law permits this information to be disclosed, subject to applicable HIPAA requirements, in certain limited circumstances, including:
- Upon the written request of a registered patient or caregiver for information related to the patient or caregiver;
- To law enforcement officers and prosecuting attorneys for purposes of verifying that an individual possessing a registration card is authorized to possess and use the card or determining whether an individual possessing medical cannabis is registered;
- To government entities and other entities for statistical, research, educational, instructional, drug-abuse-prevention, or grant-application purposes, provided personal identifiers and information that could identify physicians are removed; and
- To the Georgia Composite Medical Board for investigatory, compliance, or disciplinary purposes.
Legal Reference: O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18(f).
Employment
Georgia law does not provide registered medical cannabis patients with the same employment protections available under the medical cannabis laws of some other states.
An employer is not required to permit or accommodate the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transportation, purchase, sale, or growing of marijuana in any form.
Georgia law also preserves an employer’s ability to maintain a written zero-tolerance policy, including a policy that:
- Prohibits marijuana use while an employee is on duty;
- Prohibits marijuana use while an employee is off duty; or
- Prohibits an employee from having a detectable amount of marijuana in the employee’s system while at work.
Accordingly, registration as a Georgia medical cannabis patient does not prevent an employer from enforcing an otherwise lawful workplace drug policy or guarantee an employee the right to use or possess medical cannabis at work.
Legal Reference: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-191(e).
School
Georgia’s Medical Cannabis Patient Registry law does not establish a statewide school accommodation procedure comparable to the specific medical cannabis school provisions found in some other states.
Georgia law permits certain health care institutions to serve as caregivers when a patient is receiving health or medical care for a qualifying condition and the institution agrees to allow the patient to possess and use medical cannabis on its premises. However, this provision should not be interpreted as creating a general right for students to possess, self-administer, or use medical cannabis at school.
Policies regarding possession, administration, storage, or use of medical cannabis on school property may be governed by applicable federal and state law and by the policies of the individual school or school district.
Patients, parents, and caregivers should contact the student’s school administration before bringing medical cannabis onto school property or attempting to administer medical cannabis during school hours or at a school-sponsored activity.
Legal Reference: O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18.
Housing
Georgia’s medical cannabis law does not provide registered patients with a specific statewide right to possess or use medical cannabis in rental housing, nor does it expressly require landlords or other housing providers to permit or accommodate medical cannabis use.
A Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card authorizes qualifying patients to possess medical cannabis within the limits established by Georgia law, but it does not necessarily override the terms of a lease, rental agreement, property rules, or applicable federal law.
Patients who rent their homes should review their lease and applicable property policies regarding marijuana, cannabis products, smoking, vaping, or controlled substances. Additional restrictions may apply to federally subsidized or federally regulated housing because marijuana remains regulated under federal law.
Patients should not assume that registration with Georgia’s Medical Cannabis Patient Registry provides protection from lease enforcement or other housing consequences related to medical cannabis.
Firearms
Patients should be aware that federal firearms law may restrict firearm and ammunition possession by individuals who use marijuana, even when that marijuana use is authorized under state medical cannabis law.
Federal law generally prohibits an individual who is an unlawful user of or addicted to a controlled substance from receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition. Marijuana remains regulated under federal controlled-substance law, and federal firearms authorities have historically considered marijuana use to fall within this prohibition even when marijuana is used for medical purposes in accordance with state law.
Accordingly, possession of a valid Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card does not create an exemption from applicable federal firearms laws.
Georgia’s laws regarding otherwise lawful firearm possession do not override applicable federal firearm restrictions.
Because firearm laws and their application to medical cannabis patients involve both state and federal law and may change through legislation or court decisions, patients who have questions regarding firearm ownership, purchase, or possession should consult a qualified attorney regarding their individual circumstances.
Legal Reference: 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3).
Lawful Possession and Use
A registered Georgia medical cannabis patient may lawfully possess, purchase, or have under his or her control medical cannabis products containing a cumulative total of no more than 12,000 milligrams of THC, provided the products are maintained in pharmaceutical containers labeled by the manufacturer with the amount of THC and the patient possesses a valid physical or electronic registration card issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Georgia’s Medical Cannabis Patient Registry does not legalize marijuana generally. Possession of marijuana or cannabis products outside the protections provided by Georgia law may remain unlawful.
Registered patients acting in accordance with Georgia’s medical cannabis laws are protected from arrest, prosecution, civil or administrative penalties, including professional licensing disciplinary action, or denial of a right or privilege for authorized medical use.
Legal References: O.C.G.A. §§ 16-12-191 and 16-12-231.
Travel & Transportation
A Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card authorizes possession of medical cannabis only as provided by applicable law. Patients should use caution when traveling with medical cannabis.
Travel Within Georgia
Under Georgia law, a registered patient may possess, purchase, or have under his or her control medical cannabis products containing a cumulative total of no more than 12,000 milligrams of THC, provided the products are maintained in pharmaceutical containers labeled by the manufacturer with the amount of THC and the patient possesses a valid physical or electronic registration card issued by the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Patients should keep medical cannabis in its properly labeled pharmaceutical container and maintain access to their valid registration card when transporting medical cannabis.
Possessing medical cannabis in a vehicle does not authorize a patient to drive while impaired.
Travel Outside Georgia
A Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card does not automatically authorize possession of medical cannabis in another state.
Medical cannabis laws vary by state. Some states may recognize certain out-of-state medical cannabis registrations, while others may not. Patients are responsible for determining whether possession of their medical cannabis is lawful in the state they are entering.
Patients should not assume that because medical cannabis was legally obtained or possessed in Georgia, it may legally be transported into another state.
Patients Visiting Georgia
Georgia law provides limited recognition of medical cannabis registration cards issued by other states. An individual possessing an out-of-state registration card that allows the same possession of medical cannabis permitted under Georgia law may possess qualifying medical cannabis in Georgia, subject to Georgia’s statutory requirements.
However, an out-of-state registration card does not provide lawful authority under this provision once the individual has been present in Georgia for 45 days or more.
Air Travel & Federal Jurisdiction
Patients should use particular caution when traveling by air or entering federal property.
Marijuana and certain cannabis-infused products remain prohibited under federal law, except for products that meet applicable federal exceptions.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screening procedures are focused on aviation security rather than searching for marijuana or other illegal drugs. However, if a substance that appears to violate applicable law is discovered during security screening, TSA may refer the matter to appropriate law enforcement authorities.
A Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card does not provide an exemption from federal law or guarantee that medical cannabis may be transported through an airport, on an aircraft, across state lines, or onto federal property.
Patients should verify the laws applicable to their destination and method of travel before traveling with medical cannabis.
Legal References: O.C.G.A. § 16-12-191; applicable federal controlled-substance laws and TSA requirements.
Prohibited Use / Driving
A medical cannabis registration card does not authorize a patient to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by cannabis.
Georgia law prohibits a person from driving or being in actual physical control of a moving vehicle while under the influence of any drug to the extent that the person is less safe to drive.
Being legally entitled to use a drug does not authorize a person to drive when the drug has rendered the person incapable of driving safely.
Unlike some states, Georgia’s medical cannabis law does not establish a specific permissible THC blood-concentration limit for registered medical cannabis patients.
Patients should not drive, operate a vehicle, or perform other activities requiring safe operation or judgment while impaired by medical cannabis.
Legal Reference: O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391.