Georgia SB 220: What Changed on July 1, 2026?

Status: In effect as of July 1, 2026

Georgia’s SB 220 (the Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act) took effect on July 1, 2026. It renamed the Low THC Oil program to Medical Cannabis, replaced the 5% THC concentration cap with milligram limits, added lupus, expanded the Crohn’s disease category to inflammatory bowel disease, permitted vaporization for patients 22 and older, and expanded purchasing access to participating independent pharmacies. Here is what changed, what did not, and what it means if you already have a card.

What Changed Under Georgia SB 220?

THC limits

Georgia no longer uses the former 5% THC concentration cap for medical cannabis products. Current law instead sets a maximum of 1,200 mg of THC per individual package and allows a registered patient or caregiver to possess up to 12,000 mg of THC in total, subject to the other legal requirements for possession, such as an active registry card and properly labeled pharmaceutical containers.

Qualifying conditions

Eligibility changed in several ways: SB 220 added lupus, changed Crohn’s disease to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), removed certain “severe or end-stage” qualifiers, and broadened some existing condition definitions. The “severe” wording still applies to peripheral neuropathy and to autism in patients under 18. Arthritis and insomnia are not qualifying conditions in Georgia. See Georgia DPH’s current qualifying-condition list for all 18 categories.

Vaporization

Georgia law prohibits vaporization of medical cannabis by anyone 21 or younger. This means patients must be 22 or older to vaporize medical cannabis under Georgia law. Georgia law also prohibits ingesting medical cannabis in any manner in any public place, and smoking or combustion remains prohibited for everyone.

Product types

According to the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, authorized product forms include oils, tinctures, transdermal patches, lotions, capsules, ingestibles and vaporizer products. Vaporizer products include medical cannabis flower intended for vaporization; it may not be smoked. Candies and cookies are prohibited.

Pharmacy access

Registered patients can now buy medical cannabis from licensed dispensaries and participating independent pharmacies licensed by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy. See Georgia’s licensed medical cannabis dispensaries for current locations.

Program terminology

The “Low THC Oil Patient Registry” is now the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry, and new and replacement cards use the Medical Cannabis name. Existing, unexpired Low THC Oil Registry Cards remain valid until their expiration date.

What Has Not Changed?

• Smoking or combustion of medical cannabis remains prohibited.
• A Georgia-licensed physician must still certify you. Having a listed condition does not guarantee certification.
• You still need an active registry card, and lawful possession is limited to properly labeled products within the THC limits.
• Cards remain valid for five years; five-year validity predates SB 220.
• Georgia does not authorize recreational marijuana or home growing.
• Federal cannabis law is separate from Georgia law.

Is Anything Still Pending?

The consumption provisions are already in effect. Separately, Georgia law requires DPH to promulgate implementing rules no later than January 1, 2027. Because implementation is ongoing, patients should check with their licensed dispensary or participating pharmacy about currently available products.

Quick Reference: Before vs. After July 1, 2026

Topic	Before July 1, 2026	Current rule
Program name	Low THC Oil	Medical Cannabis
THC framework	5% THC concentration limit	12,000 mg total possession; 1,200 mg per package
Qualifying conditions	No lupus; Crohn’s disease only; many conditions required “severe” or “end-stage”	18 categories, including lupus and IBD; most severity qualifiers removed
Vaporization	Not permitted	Permitted at 22 and older; prohibited for anyone 21 or younger
Smoking or combustion	Prohibited	Prohibited
Where patients can buy	Licensed dispensaries	Licensed dispensaries + independent pharmacies licensed by the Board of Pharmacy
Card validity	5 years	5 years (unchanged)

Do I Need to Do Anything If I Already Have a Card?

Existing, unexpired Low THC Oil Registry Cards remain valid until their expiration date. You do not need to replace a valid card solely because the program was renamed.

If you previously did not qualify because of an eligibility restriction that has since changed, you can discuss your current eligibility with a Georgia-licensed physician. The physician decides whether certification is appropriate.

How to Get Certified Under the Updated Law

1. Review Georgia’s qualifying conditions. Having a listed condition does not automatically guarantee certification; the physician must determine whether certification is appropriate.
2. Complete an evaluation with a Georgia-licensed physician. Georgia law requires the certifying physician to be licensed in Georgia with a principal place of practice in the state.
3. Your physician submits the certification to DPH. DPH verifies the information and emails you instructions to pay.
4. Pay the state card fee and receive your card. The card costs $30, plus a $3.75 online service fee, and payment is due within 60 days. DPH ships the card by UPS after payment; allow up to 10 business days.

For the full state process, see Georgia DPH’s patient and caregiver guidance. For costs, documents and how PrestoDoctor’s evaluation works, see our Georgia medical marijuana card requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgia SB 220 in effect?

Yes. Governor Kemp signed SB 220 on May 12, 2026, and it took effect on July 1, 2026.

Did SB 220 add new qualifying conditions?

Yes. It added lupus and changed Crohn’s disease to inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis. Arthritis and insomnia were not added and are not qualifying conditions in Georgia.

Is the 12,000 mg limit per package or total?

Total. A registered patient or caregiver may possess up to 12,000 mg of THC in total, and no single package may contain more than 1,200 mg of THC.

Can I buy medical cannabis at a pharmacy now?

Yes, at an independent pharmacy licensed by the Georgia Board of Pharmacy that sells medical cannabis. You need an active Georgia Medical Cannabis Registry Card.

Do I need to renew my card sooner?

No. Cards are valid for five years. During that period, Georgia requires annual physician certification of your continued diagnosis unless your condition is incurable or irreversible.

How old do I have to be to vaporize medical cannabis in Georgia?

Georgia law prohibits vaporization by anyone 21 or younger, so you must be 22 or older. Using medical cannabis in any manner in a public place is prohibited.

When will vape products be on dispensary shelves?

The law is in effect, but DPH has until January 1, 2027 to adopt implementing rules, so availability varies by seller. Ask your dispensary or pharmacy.

Is there a digital Georgia medical cannabis card?

Georgia law authorizes electronic registration cards, subject to appropriations. DPH’s current public patient guidance describes physical-card delivery by UPS but does not currently provide an electronic-card issuance process.

Sources & Last Updated

Last updated: October 1, 2026. This article is based on current Georgia law and official state guidance. Information was checked against the Georgia General Assembly’s SB 220 legislation, the Georgia Department of Public Health’s Medical Cannabis Patient Registry guidance, and the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission’s current patient guidance.

• Georgia General Assembly: SB 220
• Georgia Department of Public Health: Medical Cannabis Patient Registry
• Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission: Patient FAQs

This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or medical advice.

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