While Georgia is home to comparatively strict cannabis laws, the state does offer some medical cannabis options. Registered patients can use oils containing no more than 5% THC for specific conditions. Patients with qualifying conditions must first consult with a doctor and then complete a notarized waiver to access medical cannabis in GA. Interested in the program? We’ll show you how to use a Georgia low THC oil card at a dispensary.
First, obtain a Low THC Oil Card
If you’ve already completed this step, go ahead and skip to the next section. But if you’re wondering how to access Georgia cannabis, read on.
If you have a qualifying condition, you’ll first need to visit a doctor. The following conditions qualify for a card:
- AIDS (severe or end stage)
- Alzheimer’s disease (severe or end stage)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (severe or end stage)
- Autism spectrum disorder, either for patients over the age of 18, or for patients younger than 18 with a diagnosis of severe autism
- Cancer (end stage or with treatment causing wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting)
- Crohn’s disease
- Epidermolysis bullosa
- Intractable pain
- Mitochondrial disease
- Multiple sclerosis (severe or end stage)
- Parkinson’s disease (severe or end stage)
- Patient is in hospice program (inpatient or outpatient)
- Peripheral neuropathy (severe or end stage)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (18+ and from direct exposure or witnessing a traumatic event)
- Seizure disorders (epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries)
- Sickle cell disease (severe or end stage)
- Tourette’s syndrome(diagnosed as severe)
Once you’ve received approval from your doctor, you’ll need to fill out and get notarized a Low THC Oil Waiver form. Once complete, you can pay for a card through the payment portal or money order. Following payment, you’ll receive your low THC card in the mail. To learn more about registering, visit the Georgia Department of Public Health’s website.
Visit a Georgia dispensary
Once you have a Low THC Oil Patient Registry Card in hand, you can go purchase your product. You have two options to purchase your product: visit a specially licensed independent pharmacy or go to a Georgia medical marijuana dispensary. The number of independent pharmacies allowed to sell cannabis oil continues to dwindle in the state, however, so many patients prefer to go straight to the dispensary.
Make sure to have your ID and patient registry card with you when you visit a Georgia dispensary. These two items are the first things staff will need to look at before you enter the shop.
After an employee has verified your identity and registry card, you’re good to start shopping. The menu will typically feature tinctures, edibles, and topicals—all made from low-THC oil. Staff can walk you through the different items available, or if you know exactly what you want, you can place an order.
Many stores will offer an online menu for you to browse before visiting, too. All of our locations, including our Decatur, Smyrna, and Athens dispensary, have a publicly available online menu to browse. If you’re new to shopping for cannabis products or just want some extra time to research each option, online menus can be a beneficial tool.
Can I use an out-of-state medical card in Georgia?
If you’re a medical cannabis patient visiting Georgia from out of state, you may still be able to purchase cannabis in the Peach State. If you possess a valid registration card in another state that allows for low-THC oil possession, you may use your card to purchase from a local dispensary. According to state rules, you’ll need to have been in Georgia for less than 45 days if you plan to purchase cannabis using an out-of-state card.
Final thoughts on purchasing medical cannabis in GA
We know that making your first cannabis purchase can be nervewracking and hope this guide will help you feel more prepared. In just a few steps, you’ll be ready to use your Georgia Low THC Oil card, so long as you have a qualifying medical condition.
Need help obtaining a card? We have your back. Our Georgia dispensary locations are happy to provide assistance to anyone who wants some extra help. Check out our medical cannabis page to make an appointment with our partners at MMJ Health. We also offer Doctor Days at our dispensary throughout the year where patients can connect with qualified physicians right in store.
Once you’ve obtained your Low THC Oil Card, we are ready to connect you with the best cannabis products in the state.
