This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Program rules, fees and forms change. Always confirm details with the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) and talk to a qualified health care provider about your own situation.

If you live in Georgia and want to join the state’s medical cannabis program, the process follows a set order: confirm you are eligible, see a qualified provider, register with the state and then buy only from licensed outlets. This guide walks through how to get a medical marijuana card in Georgia step by step, based on the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH)’s published guidance as of October 29, 2026. It focuses on the access steps only. It does not discuss whether cannabis helps any condition. Georgia’s program was long known as the Low THC Oil Registry. DPH now calls it the Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry, and existing Low THC Oil cards stay valid until they expire. For state basics on seeds and home growing rules, see our Georgia marijuana seeds page. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older.

Georgia program at a glance

Topic	What the state says (verify before relying)
Agency	Georgia Department of Public Health
Registry	Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry
Card fee	30 dollars, plus a portal fee for online payment
Card term	Valid for five years
Home grow	Not allowed
Where to buy	Licensed dispensaries overseen by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission
Who applies	Your physician starts the process, not the patient

Who runs the program

The Georgia Department of Public Health runs the patient registry. It reviews physician certifications, collects fees and issues cards. A separate body, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, licenses and oversees the companies that produce and sell products to registered patients.

DPH updated its registry rules on July 1, 2026. The registry now covers more product types than the older low THC oil program, and DPH lists a possession limit of up to 12,000 milligrams. Contact DPH at MCRegistry@dph.ga.gov or 770 909 2765 with questions.

Step by step: getting registered in Georgia

Step 1: Confirm residency

Patients must be Georgia residents. Your physician will need a copy of your ID and proof of residency.

Step 2: See a Georgia licensed physician

The physician must hold a Georgia license and have a principal place of practice in Georgia. The physician evaluates whether you have a qualifying condition and, if so, signs a certification.

Step 3: Your physician submits the application

The physician uploads your certification, ID and proof of residency to DPH. Patients do not submit the application themselves in Georgia.

Step 4: DPH reviews and emails you

DPH verifies the information. If approved, DPH emails payment instructions to the address on file.

Step 5: Pay the card fee

DPH lists a 30 dollar card fee, plus a 3.75 dollar portal fee for online payment. A money order is also accepted. Payment must be made within 60 days, or the application may lapse.

Step 6: Receive your card

DPH says cards ship by UPS and require a signature on delivery. Allow up to about 10 business days after payment.

Step 7: Buy from a licensed dispensary

Registered patients can buy from dispensaries licensed under the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, within the possession limits in state law.

Qualifying condition categories

State law lists the conditions that can make a patient eligible. As of October 29, 2026, the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) lists these categories:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Cancer
• Epidermolysis bullosa
• Hospice program patients
• HIV stage III
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Intractable pain
• Lupus
• Mitochondrial disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), for patients 18 and older
• Seizure disorders
• Sickle cell disease
• Tourette’s syndrome

State law in O.C.G.A. 31 2A 18 sets these categories, and some carry extra criteria such as severity or stage. DPH lists the exact wording. A condition on this list only means a patient may qualify for the program. It does not mean cannabis is a proven or appropriate treatment for that condition. Only a qualified provider can decide whether you meet the criteria.

Costs and timing

The state card fee is 30 dollars, plus a 3.75 dollar portal fee if you pay online. Physician visit fees are separate and set by the clinic. Payment is due within 60 days of the DPH email. Cards ship by UPS within up to about 10 business days of payment.

Georgia cards are valid for five years, which is longer than most states. Your physician must keep your certification current, and you should watch your card’s printed expiration date.

What about growing at home?

Georgia does not allow patients or caregivers to grow cannabis at home. Products must come from licensed dispensaries. Adult use cannabis is not legal in Georgia. Federal law also still treats marijuana as a controlled substance outside the narrow categories moved to Schedule III in 2026, and the federal hemp definition is scheduled to change on December 11, 2026. Our overview of legal requirements for growing weed plants in your state compares state rules.

Tips for a smooth application

• Gather proof of identity and Georgia residency before your appointment
• Use the email address you check most often, since state notices usually arrive by email
• Keep copies of every confirmation, receipt and certification
• Write down your registry or patient number in a safe place
• Note renewal dates in your calendar well ahead of time
• Only buy from licensed outlets, and keep products in their original labeled packaging
• Never drive after consuming, and keep products locked away from children and pets
• Do not carry medical cannabis into another state unless that state’s law clearly allows it

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Georgia medical cannabis card cost?

DPH lists a 30 dollar card fee, plus a 3.75 dollar portal fee for online payment. Physician fees are separate.

Do I apply myself in Georgia?

No. Your Georgia licensed physician submits the certification and your documents to DPH. You then pay the fee when DPH emails you.

How long is a Georgia card valid?

DPH says cards are valid for five years.

Are old Low THC Oil cards still valid?

Yes. DPH says existing cards stay valid until their printed expiration date.

Can I grow cannabis at home in Georgia?

No. Georgia does not allow home cultivation.

Does this guide replace advice from the state or a provider?

No. This is general information only. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is the official source, and a qualified provider can answer questions about your health.

Sources

• Georgia Department of Public Health, Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry page, accessed October 29, 2026
• Official Code of Georgia Annotated, 31 2A 18, accessed October 29, 2026
• Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, accessed October 29, 2026

The bottom line

Getting a medical marijuana card in Georgia means seeing a qualified provider, registering with the state and buying only from licensed outlets. Check the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) for current forms and fees before you start. For state seed and home grow basics, visit our Georgia page or the Kind Seed Co shop. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older. Always follow the home grow laws where you live.