Medical Cannabis Information for Physicians

Below is key information physicians need to certify patients and caregivers for a medical cannabis card and update the Patient Registry. Please refer to the FAQs below or contact the Georgia Medical Cannabis Program with any further questions.

Medical Cannabis Patient Registry Link

Physicians can access the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry by clicking the link below.

Access here

Certifying patients for a Medical Cannabis card:

  1. Register and log into the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.
  2. Complete the  Medical Cannabis Certification  (PDF, 188.13 KB)  (PDF, 79.98 KB)
  3. Enter patient and caregiver information, and upload photos of the front and back of their valid driver’s license(s), state-issued identification card(s), passport(s), military ID(s), or other valid forms of identification into the Registry
    1. If using a form of identification that does not include an up-to-date Georgia address, the individual must provide a document showing current Georgia residency (utility bill, phone bill, pay stub). The document must show the cardholder’s full name and street address.
  4. File the Medical Cannabis certification in the patient’s medical record

Updating the Registry:

  1. Update patient and caregiver information as needed in the registry.
  2. Cancel patient’s cards in the registry if they have moved out of state or have died

Document required for certification of a qualified patient:

Annual  Medical Cannabis Certification  (PDF, 188.13 KB)  (PDF, 79.98 KB)

Physicians are required to complete and submit an Annual Medical Certification to certify patients for a medical cannabis card.

By signing the certification, physicians confirm they are fully-licensed to practice medicine in Georgia and have a principal place of practice located in the state; have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient; have assessed the patient’s medical history and current medical condition; have performed or reviewed appropriate diagnostic tests in making the above-indicated diagnosis; and authorize the patient to be eligible for the use of medical cannabis as provided in Georgia law. This authorization is not a prescription.

FAQs for Physicians

  • What is your role in the patient certification process?

    As a physician fully licensed to practice in Georgia and with a principal place of practice in the state, your role in the medical cannabis certification process is:

    1. Registering in the Medical Cannabis Registry
    2. Explaining the annual certification process to patients and/or caregivers
    3. Completing the patient certification form annually, and adding patients and their caregivers to the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry
    4. Canceling patients’ cards in the registry if they have moved out of state or have died
    5. Completing required registry reports as directed by Georgia law (Official Code of Georgia Annotated, OCGA §31-2A-18)
  • How do you certify a patient for a Medical Cannabis card?
    1. Register and log into your Medical Cannabis Patient Registry 
    2. Complete the Annual  Medical Cannabis Certification  (PDF, 188.13 KB)  (PDF, 79.98 KB)
    3. Enter patient and caregiver information, and upload photos of the front and back of their valid driver’s license(s), state-issued identification card(s), passport(s), military ID(s), or other valid forms of identification into the Patient Registry
      1. If using a form of identification that does not include an up-to-date Georgia address, the individual must provide a document showing current Georgia residency (utility bill, phone bill, pay stub). The document must show the cardholder’s full name and street address.
    4. File the annual Medical Cannabis Certification in the patient’s medical record
  • What do you need to know before you certify a patient?
    • Patients must be Georgia residents
    • Patients must have one or more qualifying conditions
    • You must have a standing doctor-patient relationship with patients you certify
    • You must upload both the front and back of the patient’s and caregiver’s valid driver’s license(s), state-issued identification card(s), passport(s), military ID(s), or other valid forms of identification into the Registry
    • You must file the annual Medical Cannabis Certification in the patient’s medical record
    • You are not required to certify patients; the certification decision is based entirely on your judgment
  • Are you required to certify a qualified patient?

    No. It is entirely your decision whether to certify a patient.

  • Is certifying a patient the equivalent of writing them a prescription for Medical Cannabis?

    No. The act of certifying a patient is simply an acknowledgment that you have an established doctor-patient relationship, have examined them, and determined they have one or more of the medical conditions set forth in the law.

  • Will you be prosecuted by Georgia or federal law enforcement for registering eligible patients?

    No. The registration process is established by Georgia law and does not violate any state or federal laws. Georgia Code 16-12-231 provides protection from arrest, prosecution, or disciplinary action from professional licensing boards for physicians who certify patients in the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.

  • Why is it important for you to accurately utilize the Patient Registry?

    It is critical to accurately use the Patient Registry to:

    • Support legal, uninterrupted card use for qualified patients
    • Help safeguard medical cannabis use for only those who legally qualify
    • Provide up-to-date Medical Cannabis data reporting
  • Important information to share with patients
    • The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is responsible for verifying client information, printing, and shipping Medical Cannabis cards.
    • DPH will communicate directly with patients entered into the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry to request payment for printing and shipment of cards and to request more information if needed.
    • The cost of the five-year Medical Cannabis card increases to $75, effective December 5, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. The new fee applies to new cards and the renewal or replacement of existing cards.
    • Cards can be paid for through an online portal and mailed directly to a patient's or caregiver’s home address. The cost for a Medical Cannabis card through 12/04/26 is $30.00 plus a $3.75 service fee if paying through the online portal. Effective December 5, 2026 at 12:01 a.m., online payments will include the $75.00 card fee plus a $4.88 service fee, bringing the total cost to $79.88  
    • Payment by money order is also accepted. Medical Cannabis cards are not covered by insurance.

 

Page last updated 11/3/2026