Georgia low-THC Oil Registry

What is the Georgia Low-THC Oil Registry?

The Georgia low-THC Oil Registry provides qualified patients and their caregivers in the state with legal access to low-THC oil to treat certain conditions and diseases. Enacted in 2015, the Haleigh's Hope Act, also known as the Georgia House Bill 1, established the state's low-THC Oil Registry, allowing low-THC oil possession under certain circumstances.

The state's Department of Public Health (DPH) manages the Georgia low-THC Oil Registry, and qualifying patients and caregivers can register at any time of the year. The dispensing of low-THC oil falls under the purview of the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission. Once enrolled in the Georgia low-THC Oil Registry, a person will be issued a low-THC Registry Card, which authorizes them to possess low-THC oil and protect them from arrest.

How Old to Join the Georgia Low-THC Oil Registry?

Adults aged 18 years or older with one or more qualifying conditions can join the Georgia low-THC Oil Registry. Also, parents and legal guardians of qualifying patients who are minors can enroll in the registry. Minors whose parents or legal guardians are registered in the Georgia low-THC Oil Registry can join the registry once they turn 18.

Georgia Low-THC Registry Oil Qualifying Conditions

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (severe or end-stage diagnosis)
• Crohn's disease
• Cancer, when the treatment produces recalcitrant nausea or related wasting illness or when such diagnosis is end-stage
• Mitochondrial disease
• Sickle cell disease
• Epidermolysis bullosa
• Alzheimer's disease
• Tourette's syndrome
• AIDS
• Intractable pain
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from exposure to or witnessing trauma for patients aged 18 years or older
• Seizure disorders related to the diagnosis of trauma-related head injuries or epilepsy
• Parkinson's disease
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Multiple sclerosis

What Practitioners are Eligible to Recommend the Use of Medical Cannabis?

• Doctors of Medicine (MDs)
• Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs)

Must a Practitioner Obtain a License Before Issuing a Medical Card Recommendation?

Yes. A healthcare practitioner must have an active license in good standing with the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) to certify eligible persons for low-THC oil treatment in the state.

Do Physicians Need to Manage Patients Before Recommending Them for the Georgia Low-THC Oil Registry?

Yes. Only physicians with bona fide doctor-patient relationships with patients can certify them for low-THC oil therapy and recommend them for the Georgia low-THC Oil Registry.

Do Physicians Have to Join the State’s Medical Marijuana Program/Registry to Recommend Medical Marijuana to Patients?

No, physicians do not need to join the Georgia low-THC Oil Registry to recommend qualifying persons for low-THC oil. The primary requirement to recommend low-THC to patients in the state is their valid licensure with the Georgia Composite Medical Board.

Can a Georgia Low-THC Oil Registry Practitioner Use Telemedicine for Patient Assessment?

No, a Georgia low-THC Oil Registry physician cannot assess a qualifying patient for low-THC oil treatment via telemedicine. All consultations with licensed physicians for low-THC oil recommendations in the state must be in person.

How to Find Georgia Low-THC Oil Registry Doctors

Qualifying patients in Georgia must obtain recommendations for low-THC oil treatments from physicians with whom they have bona fide doctor-patient relationships. However, the state does not maintain a database of medical practitioners who qualify to certify patients for low-THC oil.

How to Apply for the Georgia Low-THC Oil Registry

• Qualifying patients and their caregivers (if applicable) must meet with their physicians, who will determine their (patients) eligibility for low-THC oil
• If the physicians certify the patients for low-THC oil treatments, they (physicians) will enter the patients' and/or caregivers' information on the secure Georgia Low-THC Oil Registry maintained by the DPH
• The patients' and/or caregivers' low-THC oil cards will be issued after their details have been entered into the registry. They can check their card status online
• Patients and caregivers will be contacted to pick up their low-THC registry identification cards within 15 business days from one of the public health offices distributing them
• For further inquiries on how to get a Georgia low-THC oil identification card, contact the DPH at (770) 909-2765 or by email