Get Your Georgia Medical Marijuana Card With My MMJ Doctor

1. Dispensaries Open:
   In April 2023, the first legal medical cannabis dispensaries opened in Georgia.
   Qualifying patients can now buy low-THC cannabis oil at licensed dispensaries with a registry card.
   
2. Expansion of Dispensaries:
   By the end of August 2023, Georgia approved licenses for three new dispensaries, increasing the total to ten.
   
3. Haleigh’s Hope Act (HB1):
   Enacted during the 2015-2016 legislative session, this law allows residents to use medical cannabis for specific qualifying conditions.
   Georgia offers a “Low THC Oil Registry Card” that permits cardholders to possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low-THC oil if certified by a physician.
   
4. Future of Cannabis Legalization:
   While Georgia is certifying more citizens to purchase low-THC oil, calls for full recreational legalization are increasing.
   Mayor Levar Stoney of Richmond urged for legalization in August 2020, but unresolved licensing lawsuits are slowing progress.

Possession for Personal Use

• One ounce or less: Misdemeanor; up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine, or community service.
• Over one ounce: Felony; 1 to 10 years in prison.

Possession with Intent to Distribute

• 10 pounds or less: Felony; 1 to 10 years in prison.
• 10 to 2,000 pounds: Felony; 5 to 30 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
• 2,000 to 10,000 pounds: Felony; 7 to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
• 10,000 pounds or more: Felony; 15 to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Distributing within 1,000 feet of schools or parks is a felony. First offense: up to 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Second offense: 5 to 40 years and a $40,000 fine.

Cultivation

• 10 pounds or less: Felony; 1 to 10 years in prison.
  
• 10 to 2,000 pounds: Felony; 5 to 30 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
  
• 2,000 to 10,000 pounds: Felony; 7 to 30 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
  
• 10,000 pounds or more: Felony; 15 to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Cultivating near schools or parks is also a felony. First offense: up to 20 years and a $20,000 fine. Second offense: 5 to 40 years and a $40,000 fine.

A health debilitating medical condition under the law is one of the following:

• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
• Anxiety
• Autism
• Cachexia and wasting syndrome
• Cancer
• Chronic Pain
• Crohn’s Disease
• Epilepsy and other seizure disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Glaucoma
• Hepatitis C
• Huntington’s Disease
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Sickle Cell Anemia
• Terminal illness
• Tourette’s Syndrome

• Age Requirement: Caregivers must be at least 21 years old.
  
• Residency Requirement: Only Georgia residents are eligible. Proof of residency, such as a Georgia driver’s license or state-issued ID, is required.
  
• Criminal Background: Applicants must have no felony convictions on their criminal record.
  
• Patient Registration: The caregiver’s patient(s) must already be registered with the Georgia Department of Health.