Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Medical marijuana refers to cannabis-derived products that are used for their therapeutic effects. It can be used to manage stress, mood swings, sleep disruptions, loss of appetite, chronic pain, and nausea. Medical marijuana is regulated by state law and is prescribed based on specific health needs.

Georgia’s qualifying conditions are: ALS; Alzheimer’s disease; autism spectrum disorder (18 and older) or severe autism (under 18); any cancer except non-metastatic skin cancer; epidermolysis bullosa; hospice care (inpatient or outpatient); HIV diagnosed as stage III; inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; intractable pain; lupus; mitochondrial disease; multiple sclerosis; Parkinson’s disease; severe peripheral neuropathy; PTSD from direct exposure to or witnessing a trauma (18 and older); seizure disorders related to epilepsy or trauma-related head injury; sickle cell disease; and Tourette’s syndrome. You’ll need certification from a Georgia physician to join the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.

You may not qualify if you don’t have one of Georgia’s qualifying conditions, aren’t a Georgia resident, or can’t provide the required documents. You’ll need proof of Georgia residency (such as a driver’s license), a valid government-issued photo ID, and certification from a Georgia physician who registers you with the Department of Public Health.

Currently, insurance does not cover medical cannabis. However, assistance options will be available for those who are eligible.

Hemp-derived products contain 0.3% or less Delta-9 THC by dry weight and are sold under Georgia’s hemp rules. Products above that level are not legal for adult or recreational use in Georgia. Registered patients in Georgia’s Medical Cannabis Program can buy medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries and independent pharmacy partners. Since July 1, 2026, there is no longer a 5% THC cap on individual products; patients may possess up to 12,000 mg of total THC at one time.

Registered patients and caregivers may possess up to 12,000 mg of total THC at one time, across all product types combined. No single package may contain more than 1,200 mg of THC, and products must stay in their original labeled containers. You must hold an active Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card.

Registered patients can buy tinctures and oils, capsules, lozenges, melts and other approved ingestibles, lotions and transdermal patches. Patients 21 and older can also buy vape products and flowers for vaporization. Smoking is not permitted, and Georgia law does not allow cannabis candies, cookies, or infused food products.

Yes for vapes, no for smoking. Since July 1, 2026, registered patients 21 and older can buy and use vape products and flowers for vaporization. Vaporizing in public is not allowed. Smoking (burning) cannabis remains prohibited under Georgia’s medical cannabis law.

Georgia limits how much you can have at one time: 12,000 mg of total THC across all your products, with no single package over 1,200 mg. Your physician may also set a regimen by milligrams and frequency. Ask our team if you’re unsure how a purchase counts toward your limit.

While Georgia law provides legal access to medical cannabis, it does not prevent employers from enforcing drug-free workplace policies. It’s important to understand your employer’s policies and consult legal advice if you believe you’re being unfairly discriminated against.

No, personal cultivation of cannabis is illegal in Georgia. Only licensed producers are authorized to grow cannabis for medical use.

A fully licensed Georgia physician whose principal place of practice is in Georgia can certify you for the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry. Certification is renewed annually, except for patients with incurable or irreversible conditions, who no longer need yearly recertification.

Yes, veterans with qualifying conditions can receive medical cannabis in Georgia. However, federal law prohibits VA physicians from prescribing it. Veterans must consult with a private physician for certification.

Yes. A registered caregiver with an active Medical Cannabis card can buy, possess, and administer products for a registered patient. Caregivers can be a parent, guardian, or legal custodian of a patient under 18, or an adult the patient designates.

If you’re new to CBD, tinctures might be a better option. Since tinctures absorb quickly into your bloodstream, their effects don’t take long to show. However, both options offer precise dosage control and a discreet way to take CBD.

Medical marijuana lozenges and capsules can be psychoactive depending on their THC content. CBD products containing high levels of THC have psychoactive effects.

Use your products as directed on the label and by your physician. Georgia law does not authorize cannabis-infused food products, so we don’t recommend cooking with medical cannabis or mixing it into food. If you’d rather not take a tincture, ask our team about melts, lozenges or capsules.

Taking medical cannabis across state lines is illegal under federal law, even into a state with its own medical program, so don’t pack Georgia products for a trip. If you’re traveling, check whether your destination accepts out-of-state patients and buy there under its rules. Visiting Georgia? Georgia recognizes a valid medical cannabis card from another state if you’ve been in Georgia less than 45 days and your card allows the same possession as Georgia law. That lets you possess medical cannabis here; buying in Georgia requires a Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card.

No, you won’t pass a drug test after consuming medical marijuana since most drug tests can detect THC in your system. THC can stay in your body for days or weeks, depending on how frequently you take it.

Yes. A Georgia physician must confirm you have a qualifying condition and certify you for the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry. Once certified, you’ll receive your registry card from the Georgia Department of Public Health.

Yes. We can connect you with a licensed Georgia physician for a consultation. Book an appointment with one of our providers to find out if you qualify and get certified for your Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card.

CBD and THC can help manage symptoms in different ways. THC is known for pain relief, nausea control, and appetite stimulation, while CBD is useful for managing anxiety, inflammation, and sleep disruptions. These compounds work by binding with specific receptors in the brain to trigger the release of feel-good chemicals and alter pain perception, offering relief and pain management from symptoms associated with various medical conditions.

Choosing the right THC: CBD ratio depends on your tolerance and preferences. High-CBD products work best for relaxation, pain relief, and sleep enhancement. High-THC products are ideal for mood enhancement, nausea reduction, and appetite stimulation. A balanced THC: CBD ratio can alleviate symptoms and provide mild psychoactive effects. If you’re new to medical marijuana, you should consult dispensary staff before you purchase products that contain THC.

You should store medical marijuana products in a cool, dark place to preserve their potency. Once opened, keep products in airtight containers to protect them from moisture.

You can check the product label to see whether it’s full-spectrum or an isolate. A full-spectrum product will contain a range of cannabinoids and possibly terpenes as well, whereas an isolate will contain only one cannabinoid.

If medical marijuana is working for you, you will notice positive changes in your health, including a reduction of symptoms and improved quality of life.

You’ll need an active Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card. Shop online and order for pickup, or visit one of our dispensaries or independent pharmacy partners, where our team can help you choose a product. Find a location near you.

Medical marijuana products can amplify the effects of certain medications, leading to a number of unwanted side effects. To prevent a dangerous interaction, you should always consult your doctor before integrating medical marijuana into your routine.

It depends on the product. Inhaled products (vapes and vaporized flowers) usually last 2 to 4 hours. Tinctures last about 4 to 6 hours. Capsules, melts, and lozenges usually last 6 to 8 hours and can last longer. Metabolism, dose, and tolerance all play a role.

• Vapes and vaporized flower: within a few minutes
• Tinctures (under the tongue): 15 to 45 minutes
• Capsules, melts, and lozenges: 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Topicals: 10 minutes to 1 hour

Yes, Botanical Sciences is a licensed medical marijuana dispensary. As Georgia’s first physician-owned medical cannabis provider, we focus on producing high-quality products that undergo rigorous testing to ensure their safety and effectiveness. We cater to a range of needs with our extensive selection of marijuana products.

Yes. Buying from a licensed dispensary or independent pharmacy partner is legal in Georgia if you hold an active Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card.

Whether you’re a beginner or a regular user, it’s safe to use THC and CBD together. CBD may balance out the psychoactive properties of THC to help achieve a more moderate effect.

Consuming medical marijuana products every day may not be a safe approach. Long-term use on a daily basis can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression and increase the risk of developing a dependency.

Some of the potential health benefits of medical marijuana include:

• Nausea and vomiting control
• Pain relief
• Muscle spasm relief
• Sleep improvement
• Appetite stimulation
• Relaxation
• Mood enhancement

Inhaled cannabis reaches the bloodstream through the lungs and works within minutes, but wears off sooner. Edibles are digested, so they take longer to start and last longer. In Georgia, smoking is not permitted, but registered patients 21 and older may use vape products and vaporize flowers.

We offer melts, capsules, lozenges, S2 soft squares, tinctures and topicals, plus State vapes, Premium Vapes, Premium Flower and Day Break flower. Products come in a range of flavors, scents, and THC: CBD ratios. Shop our products.

Patients use medical cannabis for symptoms such as pain, nausea, muscle spasms, poor sleep, and loss of appetite. In Georgia, you must have one of the state’s qualifying conditions to join the program, including cancer, intractable pain, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, lupus, inflammatory bowel disease, and others.

THC and CBD topicals are best for localized pain (pain in one part of the body). However, edible products are better for generalized pain (pain all over the body).

Medical marijuana products with a high CBD and low THC concentration are ideal for managing stress and anxiety. This combination can promote relaxation without strong psychoactive effects.

“Intractable pain” refers to chronic pain that cannot be effectively managed with standard medical treatments. It is a qualifying condition under Georgia’s medical cannabis law.

Once your physician registers you, the Georgia Department of Public Health issues your card. You can pick it up at your local public health office or have it mailed. Check with the Georgia Department of Public Health for current processing times.

Carry your Medical Cannabis Patient Registry card and a government photo ID whenever you have medical cannabis. Keep products in their original labeled containers, and remember the 12,000 mg possession limit. Don’t take products out of Georgia crossing state lines.

New patients should start with the lowest available dose and increase gradually over time. Your body’s metabolism, the product type, and your specific medical condition determine how much you’re going to need. Tracking your doses and responses in a journal helps identify what works best for you. If you take edibles, wait at least two hours before taking more, since they take longer to take effect than other forms of cannabis.