Medical cannabis in GA: How to qualify, where to purchase & more of your questions answered

Chelsea Madden
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The Peach State is now offering medical cannabis to those who need it.

However, there are some things you should know. The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission has several answers for you:

What is the difference between medical cannabis and medical marijuana?

Botanically speaking, they are the same, but legally, they are completely different.

Georgia is not a medical marijuana state, but rather, it is a “medical cannabis” low-THC oil patient registry state. This means that patients can lawfully have cannabis if they are registered with the Georgia Department of Public Health.

How does Georgia’s medical cannabis law compare to other states?

Georgia’s law is much more limited since it doesn’t allow the growing, sale, or possession of marijuana in plant or leaf form. It is also not legal in Georgia to authorize THC-infused products or vapor and doesn’t allow physicians to prescribe THC Oil.

How can I obtain the Low THC-Oil Registry card in Georgia?

Patients must register with the Georgia Department of Public Health after talking to their doctor.

How do I know if I qualify for the card?

To get a Registry card, you must be one of the following:

  1. an adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law;

  2. legal guardians of an adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law; or

  3. parents or legal guardians of a minor child who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law.

The diseases covered are:

  • Cancer, when such diagnosis is end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage

  • Seizure disorders related to diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma related head injuries

  • Multiple sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage

  • Crohn’s disease

  • Mitochondrial disease

  • Parkinson’s disease, when such diagnosis is sever or end stage

  • Sickle cell disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage

  • Tourette’s syndrome, when such syndrome is diagnosed as severe

  • Autism spectrum disorder, when (a) patient is 18 years of age or more, or (b) patient is less than 18 years of age and diagnosed with severe autism

  • Epidermolysis bullosa

  • Alzheimer’s disease, when such disease is severe or end stage

  • AIDS when such syndrome is severe or end stage

  • Peripheral neuropathy, when symptoms are severe or end stage

  • Patient is in hospice program, either as inpatient or outpatient

  • Intractable pain

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma for a patient who is at least 18 years of age

How can I buy Low THC-Oil in Georgia?

Patients with a Registry card can purchase Low THC-Oil from a licensed dispensary. The dispensaries have not yet been licensed, but they are coming soon.

Is marijuana now legal in Georgia?

No.

Possession of any form of marijuana is illegal (state and federal law).

Can my Georgia employer fire me for a failed drug test, even if I take medical cannabis?

Simply put, yes.

The Georgia Low THC Oil Law does not prevent an employer from drug testing or even terminating an employee if they don’t pass a drug test or are flagged for cannabis in a drug test.

Many employers also have a “drug-free workplace” policy, which holds employers and employees accountable.

Above all, Georgia is an at-will employer state, which means employers can terminate employees at any time, for any reason or for no reason at all.

Have other questions? Email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com

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