The Fulton County Board of Health is now distributing pre-prescribed Low THC Oil Registry Cards to Fulton County residents.
Please note: FCBOH does not prescribe Low THC Oil. All prescriptions must be obtained through your physician and entered into the state database.
The Low THC Oil Registry Cards cost $25. It is valid for two years from the date of issue. After that time, cardholders will need to again consult with their physician about their continued eligibility and to request that the physician update and confirm the accuracy of personal information in the registry.
How to obtain a Low THC Oil Card
The basic steps to obtaining a card are as follows:
- Patients and caregivers of patients who believe they may be eligible should consult with their physician about the possibility of obtaining a Low THC Oil Card allowing them to possess 20 fluid ounces of Low THC Oil within the State of Georgia.
- If approved by the physician, the patient and/or patient’s caregivers’ information will be entered into DPH’s secure “Low THC Oil Registry” and a Low THC Oil Card will be issued to the patient and/or caregiver. Physicians are able to complete registration online – Physicians Register Here.
- Patients and caregivers will be notified when the cards are ready for pickup (within 15 business days) from one of 18 public health offices that distribute Low THC Oil Cards.
- Check Low THC Oil Card Status: The following link will provide a way for physicians and patients on the Low THC Oil Registry to view the stage of development of their Low THC Oil card – Check Card Status.
Who qualifies for a Low THC Oil Card?
There are three categories of persons who may apply for the card:
- an adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law;
- legal guardians of an adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law;
- parents or legal guardians of a minor child who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law.
What conditions or diseases are covered by the law?
The law lists the following conditions and diseases which qualify for the Low THC Oil Registry:
- 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 the 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 severe 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
When can I pick-up my card?
The Low THC Oil Card typically arrives at the Fulton County Board of Health office between 7-10 days after the physician enters an individual into the registry.
A Low THC Oil Constituent Services Representative will contact each individual patient to discuss and select the Public Health office that will be most convenient to pick up the card. A representative from the Fulton County Board of health office selected will notify each individual when the Low THC Oil Card is available for pick-up. You will be charged $25 for the card at pick-up.
Please bring a valid ID when picking up your card.
How much does a Low THC Oil Card Cost? How do I pay for it?
The fee for a Low THC Registry Card is $25 per new card. Each individual will be asked to pay for the Low THC Oil card when it is picked up. FCBOH accepts cash, money orders, credit/debit cards (not American Express).
FAQs
What Citizens Need to Know about Georgia’s Medical Marijuana Law
What does the law do?
Georgia’s medical marijuana law allows certain qualified persons to legally possess up to 20 fluid ounces of “low THC oil,” which is derived from the marijuana plant. It authorizes the Georgia Department of Public Health to issue a “Low THC Oil Registry Card” to qualified persons, which will prove that they are authorized to have the oil and protect them from arrest.
Where can I buy Low THC oil?
Under House Bill 324, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (www.gmcc.ga.gov) which is administratively assigned to the Secretary of State’s Office, will oversee the growing, manufacturing, and dispensing of low THC oil in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Public Health does not prescribe or dispense low THC oil.
How does Georgia’s law compare to laws in other states which have adopted medical marijuana?
Georgia’s law is much more limited than some other states’ medical marijuana laws. For example, it does not legalize the sale or possession of marijuana in leaf form and it does not authorize the production or sale of food products infused with low THC oil or the ingestion of low THC oil through vapor. It does not authorize physicians to prescribe marijuana for medical use. It is intended solely to protect qualified persons from criminal prosecution for possessing low THC oil for medicinal purposes.
Who is eligible for the “Low THC Oil Registry Card”?
There are three categories of persons who may apply for the card:
- an adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law;
- legal guardians of an adult who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law;
- parents or legal guardians of a minor child who has one or more of the diseases specified in the law.
What conditions or diseases are covered by the law?
The law lists the following conditions and diseases which qualify for the Low THC Oil Registry:
- 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 the 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 severe 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
What if more than one person is caring for the child or adult?
If there is more than one parent or legal guardian, then each may apply for a separate card.
How do I apply for the Low THC Registry Card?
The application is submitted by an individual’s physician. That physician should be the one who is treating the patient for the qualifying condition. There are two documents required to be completed by the physician as part of the process. First, there is a waiver form which must be signed by both the applicant and the physician. Second, there is a physician certification form. The physician will keep the original waiver and certification form in the patient’s medical records. As the patient, you may request a copy for your records. The physician will electronically submit specific information from these forms to the Georgia Department of Public Health. The Low THC Oil unit will review and verify the details. Once the process is complete, the Unit will create a Low THC Oil Registry Card for qualified applicants.
Where will I get my Low THC Registry Card? Will it be mailed to me?
Each Low THC Oil Card is printed at the Georgia State Department of Public Health office and then mailed to a preselected Local Georgia Public Health office. That is where the patient will pick the Low THC Oil Card up. The Low THC Oil Card typically arrives at the local Public Health office between 7-10 days after the physician enters an individual into the registry. A Low THC Oil Constituent Services Representative will contact each individual patient to discuss and select the Public Health office that will be most convenient to pick up the card. A representative from the local Public Health office selected will notify each individual when the Low THC Oil Card is available for pick-up.
How much does the Low THC Oil card cost? How do I pay for it?
The fee for a Low THC Registry Card is $25 per new card. Each individual will be asked to pay for the Low THC Oil card when it is picked up.
How long is the card valid?
The Low THC Oil Card will be valid for two years from the date it is issued. The expiration date will be printed on the front of the card. After that time, an individual will need to again consult with their physician and request that they update and confirm information within the registry. Please plan to allow 15 business days to process your information, print your card, and have it ready for pick-up from the closest of the 18 Public Health Offices approved to distribute the Low THC Oil Cards.
What happens if I lose my card?
If you lose your card, please contact the Low THC Oil Unit by email (THCRegistry@dph.ga.gov) or by calling (770) 909-2765. If your card has not expired, your physician will be contacted to confirm you are still under their care. Once confirmed, a replacement card will be provided to you. Please plan to allow 15 business days to process your information, print your card and have it ready for pick-up at a preselected Public Health Office. Replacement cards will cost $25.
The information on my card is wrong or outdated. How do I correct it?
If the information on your card is wrong or outdated, please email the updated correction(s) to THCRegistry@dph.ga.gov. The Low THC Oil Registry staff will review your email and will compare the information to what has been submitted by your physician on your documents. If the information submitted by your physician is incorrect, you will need to contact your physician and ask that the office update the information in the registry. Once that has been completed, a new card will be issued to an agreed upon health department.
Is marijuana now legal? Where can I buy it?
No. The law only authorizes the legal possession of up to 20 fluid ounces of low THC oil by qualified persons. It does not make the sale or possession of all types of marijuana legal in Georgia. Possession of any form of marijuana by an unauthorized person is and remains a violation of state and federal law.
Can I now sell medical marijuana?
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (www.gmcc.ga.gov) will issue a limited number of licenses for the growing, manufacturing, and dispensing of low THC oil in Georgia. It is a violation of state and federal law for unauthorized persons to sell any form of marijuana.
My employer tests for drug use, including cannabis. Can they test me if I am a medical cannabis patient? Can they fire me if I use medical cannabis?
Georgia law does not prevent an employer from testing for use of cannabis (for any reason) or taking action against an employee who tests positive for use of cannabis (for any reason).