Georgia Medical Marijuana Card Renewal: Renew Your Card
$100 · Private 15-minute phone consultation with a Georgia-licensed physician. GMMC serves adults age 18 and older throughout Georgia.
Book through Calendly. Our team sends an eVisit link for your telemedicine visit. Payment is collected through eVisit after the visit. If our physician determines that you do not qualify for medical cannabis certification, any consultation fee paid will be refunded.
Georgia medical marijuana card renewal has two separate parts: a Medical Cannabis Certification that generally requires an annual review by a fully licensed Georgia physician, with an exception for patients with incurable or irreversible conditions, and a physical Georgia Medical Cannabis card that stays valid for five years and must be renewed through the Georgia Department of Public Health when it expires.
If you already have a Georgia card and want to keep your access active, these two timelines matter equally. For patients subject to annual certification, an unexpired physical card does not replace that requirement, and completing annual certification does not mean Georgia DPH will issue a new card every year. This guide explains what Georgia patients need to renew, how the annual physician certification works, when the five-year card renewal applies, what documents and fees to expect, how long the process can take, what to do if your card is lost or expired, and the key questions patients usually have about Georgia medical marijuana card renewal.
A fully licensed physician whose principal place of practice is in Georgia must evaluate the patient and determine whether continued certification is medically appropriate. Previous certification does not guarantee annual recertification, state verification, or card renewal.
Georgia Medical Cannabis Renewal at a Glance
Annual physician certification: Generally required; Georgia law exempts patients with incurable or irreversible conditions
Physical card validity: Five years
Who certifies the patient: A fully licensed Georgia physician
Who manages the registry and issues cards: Georgia Department of Public Health
State card fee: $30 per patient or caregiver card
Online payment service fee: $3.75
State delivery estimate: Up to 10 business days after payment processing
Annual Certification vs. Five-Year Card Renewal
People often use “renewal” to describe two different parts of Georgia’s Medical Cannabis program.
Requirement |
How often? |
Who handles it? |
Does it produce a new card? |
|---|---|---|---|
Annual Medical Cannabis Certification |
Every year unless the incurable-or-irreversible-condition exception applies |
A fully licensed Georgia physician |
Not necessarily |
Physical Medical Cannabis card renewal |
When the five-year card expires |
Physician and Georgia DPH |
Yes, after the applicable state process |
Registry-information update |
As needed |
Physician and Georgia DPH |
Only when a replacement or updated card is required |
Georgia DPH’s program guidance describes annual physician certification. Its patient guidance separately states that the physical card is valid for five years and that the cardholder must consult a physician to renew it after that period.
When Should You Start the Renewal Process?
Check the expiration date printed on the front of your Medical Cannabis card. You should also confirm when your most recent annual physician certification was completed.
Georgia DPH does not publish a universal rule requiring every patient to begin renewal a specific number of days before expiration. However, scheduling, physician review, registry updates, state verification, payment, and delivery can take time, so do not wait until the final day to ask about your next steps.
An active card and current physician certification are both important for continued participation in Georgia’s Medical Cannabis program.
Do You Need a Physician Evaluation Every Year?
Georgia generally requires annual physician certification. However, O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18(d), as amended by Georgia SB 220 (2026), page 22, exempts patients with incurable or irreversible conditions from annual certification. DPH’s public guidance describes the general annual process. Confirm with your certifying physician or Georgia DPH whether the exception applies to your documented condition and registry record; do not assume your renewal schedule from the card’s expiration date alone.
By completing the certification, the physician confirms that they:
Are fully licensed to practice medicine in Georgia
Have a principal place of practice in Georgia
Have a bona fide physician-patient relationship with the patient
Have assessed the patient’s medical history and current condition
Have performed or reviewed appropriate diagnostic information
Have determined that continued certification is medically appropriate under Georgia law
Certification is not a prescription. A medical marijuana doctor may recommend medical cannabis only when continued certification is appropriate under Georgia law. Physicians are not required to certify patients or recertify every patient, and the decision is based on the physician’s independent medical judgment.
What May You Need for Renewal or Annual Certification?
The exact information requested may vary by patient and physician. Be prepared to provide:
Your current Medical Cannabis card
Valid identification
Current contact and mailing information
Medical history
Information about your qualifying medical conditions
Available medical records or diagnostic information
A current medication and treatment list
Updated caregiver information, when applicable
Proof of Georgia residency when needed
Georgia’s qualifying categories include cancer except non-metastatic skin cancer, seizure disorders related to epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries, Parkinson’s disease, and intractable pain. The physician reviews the documented qualifying condition and current criteria; a diagnosis outside the listed categories should not be assumed eligible.
Accepted identification may include a driver’s license, state-issued identification card, passport, military ID, or another valid form of identification. If the identification does not show a Georgia address, a separate document showing Georgia residency—such as a utility bill, phone bill, or pay stub—must display the cardholder’s full name and street address.
Having all requested documents does not guarantee continued certification or card renewal.
Georgia Medical Cannabis Renewal Checklist
Before scheduling, check the following:
Your most recent annual physician-certification date
The expiration date printed on your physical card
Whether your identification is current
Whether your mailing address has changed
Whether your phone number or email has changed
Whether your caregiver information has changed
Whether you have current information showing your continued eligibility for the program
Whether your physician has requested updated medical records
Whether you have confirmed the current physician-evaluation price
Whether the health department has your correct mailing address
Completing this checklist does not guarantee physician certification, DPH verification, card renewal, or card issuance.
How to Renew a Georgia Medical Cannabis Card
Check your card and certification status → Gather updated information → Complete a physician evaluation → Receive certification when appropriate → Physician updates the registry → DPH verifies the information → Pay the state fee when required → Receive the renewed card
1. Check your card and annual certification
Review:
The expiration date on your Medical Cannabis card
The date of your most recent physician certification
Whether any identification, address, contact, or caregiver information has changed
Remember that the physical card is valid for five years, while physician certification is generally annual unless the incurable-or-irreversible-condition exception applies.
2. Gather current information
Prepare current identification, residency, medical, contact, and caregiver information requested by the physician or clinic. If applicable, a legal guardian or legal custodian may also need to provide caregiver or authorization details.
Not every patient will need the same records. Follow the instructions supplied for your appointment.
3. Complete the physician evaluation
The physician reviews your current condition, medical history, qualifying diagnosis, and available information to determine whether you remain one of Georgia’s qualifying patients for continued certification.
The physician then decides whether continued certification is medically appropriate. Receiving certification in the past does not require the physician to recertify you.
If your diagnosis or circumstances have changed, review the Georgia medical cannabis qualifying conditions before your appointment.
4. The physician completes the annual certification when required
When continued certification is appropriate, the physician completes the Annual Medical Cannabis Certification and maintains the required medical record.
The physician updates the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry when needed, including current patient and caregiver information. Registered patients should confirm their annual certification and registry status with their physician rather than relying only on the expiration date printed on an existing Georgia marijuana card or Low THC Oil Registry Card.
5. Georgia DPH verifies the information
Georgia DPH reviews the applicable registry submission for accuracy and completeness.
If there is a question, DPH may contact the patient or caregiver. When the information is verified and reflected in the state registry, DPH sends payment instructions when payment for a new or renewed medical card is required.
6. Pay the state card fee when required
A Georgia Medical Cannabis card costs $30 per patient or caregiver card, which serves as the state card fee and required registration fee.
Paying through DPH’s online payment portal adds a $3.75 service fee. A cardholder who cannot use the online portal or does not have email access may mail a $30 money order instead.
After payment processing, the health department ships the card to the mailing address on file.
DPH requires payment within 60 days after sending payment instructions. After 60 days, the card request may be canceled, and the cardholder may need to contact the physician about reinstatement.
Annual physician certification does not necessarily require a $30 card payment every year. The card fee applies when DPH is issuing a patient or caregiver card.
7. Receive the renewed card
After payment is processed, DPH ships the card through UPS to the mailing address on file. A signature is required for delivery. Once you receive the renewed card, you may legally possess and legally purchase approved medical marijuana products only as allowed under Georgia law. Older references to 20 fluid ounces of low THC cannabis oil should not be used as the current limit; current Georgia guidance states a possession limit of 12,000 milligrams of THC.
DPH advises allowing up to 10 business days after payment processing. After three unsuccessful delivery attempts, the card is returned to DPH, and the cardholder must contact the department about redelivery. Georgia does not allow home cultivation, and smoking cannabis is not permitted under the state's medical cannabis rules. Georgia established its low THC oil medical program in 2015; current medical marijuana legal access is governed by the updated state framework. Eligible patients access medical cannabis through state-licensed dispensaries and authorized independent pharmacies.
How Much Does Georgia Medical Cannabis Renewal Cost?
Renewal or annual certification may involve separate physician and state costs.
Renewal-related cost |
Current amount |
Paid to |
|---|---|---|
GMMC medical marijuana doctor evaluation for renewal or annual certification |
$100 |
GMMC through eVisit |
Georgia Medical Cannabis card |
$30 |
Georgia DPH |
Online state payment service fee |
$3.75 |
DPH payment portal |
GMMC’s physician-evaluation fee is separate from the state card fee. The GMMC physician evaluation is $100.
Review current GMMC evaluation pricing or contact GMMC with a renewal question.
Do not assume that the $30 card fee is due annually. Annual physician certification and physical-card issuance are separate events.
Will Annual Certification Give You a New Card?
Not necessarily.
The physical card is valid for five years, while physician certification is generally completed annually unless the statutory exception applies. A new physical card is therefore not automatically issued after every annual certification. Use current official guidance for the Georgia medical cannabis program.
Current Georgia DPH guidance states a possession limit of 12,000 milligrams of THC. Check the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission for current medical marijuana product rules and authorized sellers rather than relying on older summaries.
A new or updated card may be needed when:
The existing card reaches its expiration date
A lost card must be replaced
Information printed on the card is incorrect
Registry or cardholder information has changed
DPH determines that another card update is required
Contact the Georgia Medical Cannabis Program for questions about the status of a specific card.
What If Your Card Has Already Expired?
Contact a fully licensed Georgia physician to renew your Georgia medical marijuana card and discuss the current renewal process.
Georgia DPH states that after the physical card’s five-year validity period, the cardholder must consult with a physician to renew the card. Do not assume that an expired card remains valid.
An expired marijuana card in Georgia may interrupt a patient's ability to purchase medical cannabis until the renewal steps are completed.
The physician may need to:
Evaluate the patient’s current medical circumstances
Complete the annual certification when required
Update registry information
Submit current identification or caregiver details
DPH then manages the applicable verification, payment, and card-issuance steps.
What If Your Card Is Lost or Contains Incorrect Information?
Contact the Georgia Medical Cannabis Program if:
Your card is lost
Your name or other information is incorrect
Your information is outdated
You have questions about your card’s status
Georgia DPH directs cardholders with lost, incorrect, or outdated cards to contact the Medical Cannabis Program. Its current patient page does not state a universal replacement-card price, so do not assume the replacement cost without confirming it with DPH.
You should also tell your physician about information that must be updated in the registry.
What If Your Address Has Changed?
Tell your physician or Georgia DPH before a new or renewed card is shipped.
Cards are generally sent to the mailing address on file and require a signature. An outdated address can delay or prevent delivery.
If your identification does not show a Georgia address, you may need separate proof of Georgia residency for the registry update.
Can a Caregiver Renew a Georgia Medical Cannabis Card?
Eligible caregivers receive separate Medical Cannabis cards and follow the applicable registry, verification, payment, and card-renewal process; depending on issuance status, a caregiver may hold a separate low thc oil card or current Medical Cannabis card.
When a patient has more than one caregiver, each caregiver may receive a separate card. Each issued caregiver card currently costs $30.
Caregiver-card renewal does not replace annual physician certification when required for the patient.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does a Georgia Medical Cannabis card need to be renewed?
The physical Medical Cannabis card is valid for five years. Check the expiration date printed on your card.
Annual physician certification is generally required, with an exception for patients with incurable or irreversible conditions. Confirm your requirements with your physician. Annual certification, when required, and five-year physical-card renewal are separate.
Do I need annual certification when my card has not expired?
Generally, yes. Annual certification remains separate from the card expiration date, but Georgia law exempts patients with incurable or irreversible conditions. Confirm with your certifying physician or Georgia DPH whether the exception applies to you.
Will I receive a new physical card every year?
Not necessarily.
The card is valid for five years. Annual physician certification does not automatically result in a new physical card each year.
How do I renew an expiring card?
Consult with a fully licensed Georgia physician to renew your card in Georgia.
The physician reviews whether you still meet the qualifying condition and continued eligibility requirements. The physician evaluates whether continued certification is appropriate and completes the necessary certification and registry updates. DPH then manages the applicable verification, payment, and card-issuance process.
Does renewal happen automatically?
No.
The physician must decide whether continued certification is medically appropriate, and DPH must process the applicable registry and card information. Previous certification does not guarantee future recertification or card renewal.
Do I have to use the same physician?
Georgia requires a fully licensed physician whose principal place of practice is in Georgia and who has the required physician-patient relationship.
DPH’s public guidance does not state that every patient must use the same physician for every annual certification. A different physician would still need to establish the appropriate relationship, evaluate the patient, and complete the required certification and registry steps.
What documents may be helpful?
Helpful information may include:
Current identification
Your existing Medical Cannabis card
Proof of Georgia residency when needed
Medical history
Records related to your qualifying medical condition and supporting eligibility
Current medication and treatment information
Updated contact and caregiver information
This can include records tied to conditions such as multiple sclerosis or human immunodeficiency virus when relevant to your case.
The physician or clinic should confirm exactly what is needed for your circumstances.
How much is a renewed state card?
The state card currently costs $30.
Using DPH’s online payment portal adds a $3.75 service fee. Cardholders eligible to use the alternative process may mail a $30 money order without the online fee.
How long does it take to receive a renewed card?
DPH advises allowing up to 10 business days after payment has been processed.
That estimate does not include appointment scheduling, the physician evaluation, certification, registry updates, or DPH verification.
What happens if I miss the state payment deadline?
DPH states that payment must be submitted within 60 days.
After 60 days, the card request may be canceled, and the cardholder may need to contact the physician to have it reinstated.
Can I complete my renewal evaluation by phone?
GMMC offers a $100 private 15-minute phone consultation with a Georgia-licensed physician for adults statewide. Book through Calendly and receive an eVisit link from our team. The physician reviews continued eligibility and determines what certification or registry steps are appropriate.
What happens if my card is lost or outdated?
Contact the Georgia Medical Cannabis Program and notify your physician about any registry information that needs to be updated.
DPH specifically directs cardholders to contact the program when a card is lost or its information is incorrect or outdated.
Are unexpired Low THC Oil Registry Cards still valid?
Yes.
An unexpired Low THC Oil Registry Card remains valid until its expiration date, and Georgia's program originally used the georgia low thc oil framework before replacement and newly issued cards adopted the Medical Cannabis program name, with those legacy cards part of the framework updated by Putting Georgia's Patients First Act before the current Medical Cannabis naming and broader access structure. Use the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission for current product requirements and authorized sellers.
Related Georgia Medical Cannabis Resources
eVisit Payment and Consultation Refunds
Payment for the $100 GMMC consultation is collected through eVisit after the telemedicine visit. Calendly is used for booking. State card fees and any cannabis purchase are separate.
If our physician determines that you do not qualify for medical cannabis certification, any consultation fee paid will be refunded. This is a consultation service, with no merchandise to return or replace.
If medical records are requested, ask for the appropriate secure submission process. Do not place medical records or patient identifiers into public website chat.
Ready to Review Your Renewal or Annual Certification?
Check the date of your most recent physician certification and the expiration date printed on your card.
GMMC offers adults throughout Georgia a $100 private 15-minute phone consultation with a Georgia-licensed physician. Book on Calendly, receive the eVisit link from our team, and attend the consultation. Payment is collected through eVisit after the visit.
Georgia residents who may qualify for a Georgia marijuana card can schedule a renewal review through GMMC.
The physician will decide whether continued certification is medically appropriate. Scheduling or paying for an evaluation does not guarantee physician certification, DPH verification, card renewal, card issuance, processing time, legal protection, or a medical outcome.
Have a question before scheduling? Contact GMMC.
This page provides general educational information and is not personal medical or legal advice. Eligibility and lawful access in Georgia depend on the state’s medical cannabis rules, active program requirements, state fees, certification requirements, agency procedures, and GMMC service details, all of which may change.