Georgia’s medical marijuana program is unlike anything you’ll find in other states. The state doesn’t issue traditional medical marijuana cards through an online registry system. Instead, Georgia’s program runs entirely through licensed physicians — and the doctor registers both the patient and the caregiver directly. Understanding the Georgia Medical Marijuana Card caregiver process in 2026 means understanding how the state’s Low THC Oil Registry works — and why it places so much responsibility on the certifying physician.
What Is Georgia’s Low THC Oil Program?
Georgia’s Hope Act (House Bill 1) allows certain patients to legally possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low THC oil. This oil must contain no more than 5% THC by weight, and the CBD content must be equal to or greater than the amount of THC.
This is not a broad medical marijuana program. Georgia’s law:
- Does not legalize the sale or possession of marijuana in leaf or flower form
- Does not authorize food products infused with low THC oil
- Does not allow physicians to write prescriptions for marijuana — they certify, they don’t prescribe
The program is managed by the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), which oversees the Low THC Oil Registry. Cards issued under this program are now valid for five years — updated from the previous two-year period.
Who Can Be a Caregiver in Georgia?
Georgia defines caregivers as:
- Parents or legal guardians of a minor who has a qualifying condition
- Legal guardians of an adult with a qualifying condition
There is no formal separate caregiver application submitted to the state. Instead, the physician handles everything. The patient provides the physician with information about their caregivers, and the physician enters that data into the registry.
A patient may have up to two caregivers on record. Each caregiver receives their own Low THC Oil Registry card. Each card costs $30.
Qualifying Conditions for Georgia’s Low THC Oil Registry
Your patient must be diagnosed with one of the following conditions to qualify:
- Cancer (end-stage or treatment producing wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea/vomiting)
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at latter stages of treatment
- Seizure disorders related to epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries
- Multiple sclerosis
- Crohn’s disease
- Mitochondrial disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Autism spectrum disorder (with specific severity criteria or for patients 18+)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) — for patients 18+
- Intractable pain
- Peripheral neuropathy
- AIDS
- Alzheimer’s disease
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (GMCC) and DPH maintain the full list. Minor patients cannot directly hold Low THC Oil cards — the caregiver (parent or guardian) holds the card on the minor’s behalf.
The Step-by-Step Georgia Caregiver Registration Process
Step 1 — Identify a physician registered with the Georgia Low THC Oil Registry
The physician must be fully licensed to practice in Georgia and registered with the DPH registry system. Only they can enter your information. The patient cannot initiate the process without the physician.
Step 2 — Patient and caregiver complete the Low THC Oil Waiver
The patient and up to two caregivers each fill out the Low THC Oil Waiver and have it notarized. This is a legal requirement.
The waiver acknowledges that cannabinoids have not been FDA-approved and that the patient/caregiver waives certain rights related to actions against the physician or the state.
Step 3 — Provide ID to the physician
The patient and each caregiver must present valid government-issued photo ID to the physician. Acceptable forms include a driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, or military ID. The physician uploads both the front and back of each ID directly into the registry.
Step 4 — Physician completes the Low THC Oil Certification
The physician fills out the certification form confirming the patient’s qualifying condition and enters the caregiver’s information into the DPH online registry portal. This is the doctor’s legal acknowledgment of an established doctor-patient relationship.
Step 5 — Pay for your card
Card fees are paid online through the DPH secure payment portal, or by money order. Each Low THC Oil card costs $30 per person. So a patient with two caregivers would require $90 total in card fees.
Step 6 — Receive your card
Once payment is confirmed, the card is mailed to the address on file. A signature is required at delivery. After three failed delivery attempts, the card is returned to DPH and you’ll need to contact them to rearrange shipping.
If you don’t have a secure home address or use a P.O. Box, your card is shipped to the nearest county health department for pickup. You’ll be notified when it’s ready and must show valid ID to collect it.
What a Georgia Low THC Oil Caregiver Card Allows
Once registered and in possession of your card, you can:
- Purchase low THC oil from any Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission-licensed dispensary
- Possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low THC oil on behalf of your patient
- Show your card and government ID at dispensaries for verification
Both you and your patient need to bring your cards (and valid photo ID) whenever visiting a dispensary. Staff will verify your eligibility against the registry.
Pricing Overview
The Georgia Medical Marijuana Card caregiver process has a straightforward cost structure:
- Low THC Oil Registry card: $30 per card
- Physician evaluation cost: varies — check KIF Doctors’ pricing for current rates
There are no annual renewal fees in the traditional sense — your card is valid for five years, and renewal requires the physician to update the registry at the end of that period.
For any card corrections or updates (such as a wrong address or changed name), contact the DPH at THCRegistry@dph.ga.gov or call (770) 909-2765.
For more on Georgia’s evolving cannabis landscape and patient resources, visit the KIF Doctors blog.
Start With a Physician Consultation
Since the physician controls entry into Georgia’s registry, getting your patient connected with a licensed provider is the non-negotiable first step.
Book a telehealth evaluation through KIF Doctors to begin the process. Once the physician confirms eligibility and enters your information into the registry, the path to your caregiver card is straightforward.
KIF Doctors works with patients across Georgia to provide fast, compassionate evaluations by licensed professionals who understand Georgia’s unique Low THC Oil program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Georgia have a traditional medical marijuana card system?
No. Georgia uses a Low THC Oil Registry administered entirely by licensed physicians. Patients and caregivers don’t apply directly to the state — their physicians do it for them.
How many caregivers can a Georgia patient designate?
A patient may designate a maximum of two caregivers. Each caregiver receives their own registry card at $30 per card.
Can a caregiver possess low THC oil for personal use in Georgia?
No. The oil dispensed belongs to the registered patient. Caregivers are authorized to possess it on the patient’s behalf only.
What happens if I move out of state with my Georgia Low THC Oil card?
The physician should be notified to cancel the card in the registry if you or the patient permanently relocates out of Georgia.
How long does it take to receive the card after payment?
Cards are processed at the DPH State Office and mailed. Processing typically takes up to 15 business days after payment is confirmed.
Sources
- Georgia Department of Public Health — Low THC Oil Registry: https://dph.georgia.gov/low-thc-oil-registry
- Georgia DPH — Low THC Oil Information for Patients and Caregivers: https://dph.georgia.gov/low-thc-oil-registry/patients-and-caregivers
- Georgia DPH — Low THC Oil Information for Physicians: https://dph.georgia.gov/low-thc-oil-registry/physicians
- Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission — Patient Resources: https://www.gmcc.ga.gov/patients/patient-resources
