Georgia Low THC Registry Semi-Annual Reporting Requirements (2026 Update)

If you’ve received a notice about new reporting requirements for your Georgia medical cannabis registration card, you may be wondering what changed, and whether MMJ Health is adding new obligations on top of your card. The short answer: no.

These requirements come directly from the State of Georgia and the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB). MMJ Health is complying with state law, just as every physician participating in Georgia’s medical cannabis program is required to do.
Here’s everything you need to know.

Quick Answer

Why am I hearing about new reporting requirements for my Georgia medical cannabis card?

Georgia’s 2026 medical cannabis legislation, Senate Bill 220, the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act,” requires physicians to submit semiannual reports to the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) on patient outcomes, treatment responses, dosages, and other clinical data. This reporting obligation is placed on physicians by the State of Georgia, not on MMJ Health. At MMJ Health, our physicians complete this form on your behalf directly within the Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry after your visit, at no extra effort to you. Many other clinics leave these complex state forms for patients to navigate alone. MMJ Health handles it as part of the service.

5 Key Things Georgia Patients Should Know

  • These reporting requirements are mandated by the State of Georgia, specifically through the Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) and the Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.
  • MMJ Health did not create these requirements. All participating physicians in Georgia’s program are required to comply with them under state law.
  • The semiannual reporting obligation falls on your physician, not on you as a patient. However, patients may be contacted to verify or update their information as part of that process.
  • This stems from Senate Bill 220, the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act,” signed into law in 2026 and codified in O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18.
  • Your registration card remains valid as long as you continue to meet Georgia’s medical cannabis qualifying conditions. Reporting requirements do not automatically affect your card status.

What Is the Georgia Semi-Annual Reporting Requirement?

Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act updated several provisions of Georgia law governing the state’s medical cannabis program, including what was previously known as the Low THC Oil Patient Registry.

Under the revised O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18(e), the Georgia Composite Medical Board now requires physicians to submit semiannual reports on their registered medical cannabis patients. These reports are used for research purposes to evaluate the effectiveness of medical cannabis as a treatment for conditions covered by the Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry.

The reports must include information such as:

  • Dosages recommended for specific conditions
  • Patient clinical responses to treatment
  • Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) levels found in test results
  • Patient compliance with treatment plans
  • Treatment outcomes and responses
  • Side effects observed
  • Drug interactions with other medications

This is a physician-facing reporting obligation. The GCMB collects this clinical data from participating physicians twice per year as part of the state’s ongoing oversight of Georgia’s medical cannabis program. The form is completed by physicians directly within the Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry as part of routine patient updates.

→ Have Questions About Your Georgia Card? Book a Same-Day Telehealth Appointment

Who Requires This Reporting and Why?

This is one of the most important points to understand: these reporting requirements come from the State of Georgia, not from MMJ Health.
The authority behind these requirements is:
The Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB)
The GCMB is the state agency responsible for licensing and regulating physicians in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18, the GCMB is specifically tasked with establishing procedures and rules for physician participation in the medical cannabis program, including the semiannual reporting obligation. You can find information about the GCMB at gcmb.georgia.gov.
The Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry
Previously known as the Low THC Oil Patient Registry, this registry, administered by the Georgia Department of Public Health, is the official database of registered patients and caregivers authorized to possess and use medical cannabis under Georgia law. SB 220 renamed it the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry as part of the broader renaming of “low THC oil” to “medical cannabis” throughout the Georgia code.
The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH)
The DPH administers the registry, issues registration cards, and establishes procedures for the registration process. More information is available at dph.georgia.gov.
MMJ Health participates in Georgia’s medical cannabis program as a physician practice. That means MMJ Health physicians are required by state law to comply with GCMB reporting rules. When patients hear about reporting requirements in connection with MMJ Health, it is because MMJ Health is following the State of Georgia’s mandates.

How Does the Reporting Work in Practice?

The semiannual reporting form is built directly into the Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry. Physicians complete it within the registry system as part of the patient update process. Patients do not fill out a separate form.
At MMJ Health, we complete this form for you after your visit. That means you do not need to navigate the state registry, locate the form, or figure out what to submit. Our physicians handle it as a standard part of the service, so your registration stays current and your access to care is uninterrupted.
Not every clinic does this. Many practices leave patients responsible for completing complex state reporting forms on their own, which can lead to missed deadlines and gaps in care. MMJ Health takes that off your plate entirely.
This is standard medical industry practice: physicians who certify patients for medical cannabis treatment are responsible for tracking and reporting on patient outcomes as a condition of program participation. MMJ Health fulfills that obligation on your behalf because it is required by the State of Georgia, not because MMJ Health has added any extra requirements.

→ Have Questions About Your Georgia Card? Book a Same-Day Telehealth Appointment

What Information Is Included in the Reporting?

Under O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18(e) as amended by SB 220, physician semiannual reports to the GCMB must include, but are not limited to:

CategoryDescription
Dosage recommendationsDosages recommended by the physician for the patient’s specific condition
Clinical responsesHow the patient has responded to medical cannabis treatment
THC/THCA test resultsLevels of tetrahydrocannabinol or tetrahydrocannabinolic acid present in test results
ComplianceWhether the patient has been compliant with the recommended treatment plan
Treatment responsesObserved effectiveness of medical cannabis for the patient’s condition
Side effectsAny side effects experienced by the patient
Drug interactionsInteractions between medical cannabis and other medications the patient takes

This data is collected for research purposes, specifically to help the State of Georgia determine the efficacy of medical cannabis as a treatment for the qualifying conditions listed under state law.
Patient records held by the Department of Public Health in connection with the registry are confidential under O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18(f) and subject to HIPAA protections. Registry information is only disclosed in limited circumstances defined by state law, such as for law enforcement verification or anonymized statistical research.

Is the Semi-Annual Reporting Mandatory?

Yes. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18(e), as amended by Georgia Senate Bill 220, the Georgia Composite Medical Board shall require physicians to issue semiannual reports. The statutory language uses mandatory terms; this is not optional for physicians participating in the Georgia medical cannabis program.
The reporting requirement applies to all physicians who certify patients to the Department of Public Health for registration in the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry. That includes MMJ Health physicians practicing in Georgia.
The GCMB is authorized to establish the specific procedures, forms, and deadlines for how these reports are submitted. Physicians are expected to follow those rules as set by the board.

Is This a New MMJ Health Policy?

No. This is not an MMJ Health policy. MMJ Health did not create these reporting requirements, and MMJ Health has no authority to waive or modify them.
These requirements were established by the State of Georgia through the legislative process (Georgia SB 220) and are enforced by the Georgia Composite Medical Board. Every physician in Georgia who participates in the medical cannabis program, regardless of which practice they work for, is subject to the same requirements.
MMJ Health is complying with state law. When you hear from us about reporting obligations, it is because we are fulfilling our legal responsibilities as a licensed physician practice under Georgia’s medical cannabis program.
We understand that receiving notices about new requirements can feel confusing or even frustrating. Our goal is to make this as easy as possible for our patients, which is why MMJ Health handles the registry reporting on your behalf after every visit. You do not need to do anything extra. If you have questions, our overview of Georgia medical marijuana laws covers the full legal and medical context, or you can reach out to our Georgia team directly.

→ Speak With a Georgia MMJ Health Physician — Same-Day Telehealth Appointments Available

What Happens If Reporting Is Not Completed?

The semiannual reporting obligation in O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18(e) is placed on physicians, not on patients. However, the consequences directly affect patients if the reporting is not completed.
If the semiannual report is not submitted, the patient’s certification can lapse. This means the patient would lose their active registration status and would need to restart the certification process from the beginning, including scheduling a new physician evaluation and reapplying to the Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry. This can result in a gap in access to legal medical cannabis products until the recertification is complete.
This is precisely why MMJ Health physicians complete the reporting form within the registry on your behalf after every visit. You should never have to worry about losing your certification due to a missed state reporting deadline. We handle it as part of your ongoing care.
Separately, patients with curable conditions are also subject to annual physician certification of their continued diagnosis to keep their card valid. Patients with incurable or irreversible conditions are exempt from annual recertification under SB 220. If your certification is coming up, you can schedule a renewal evaluation with a Georgia medical cannabis doctor through MMJ Health.
Important: MMJ Health cannot provide legal advice regarding the specific consequences of non-compliance in your individual case. For authoritative guidance on compliance obligations, contact the Georgia Composite Medical Board or the Georgia Department of Public Health directly.

Official Georgia Sources and References

The following are official state sources for information about Georgia’s medical cannabis program and reporting requirements:

  • Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB): gcmb.georgia.gov | The regulatory authority responsible for physician reporting requirements
  • Georgia Department of Public Health: dph.georgia.gov | Administers the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry and issues registration cards
  • Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission: medicalcannabis.georgia.gov | Administers the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry and issues registration cards
  • Georgia Senate Bill 220, “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act” (2026) | Legislation that amended O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18, establishing the semiannual reporting requirement
  • O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18 | Governing statute for the Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry, registration cards, and physician reporting obligations

Frequently Asked Questions

The Georgia Medical Cannabis Patient Registry (previously called the Low THC Oil Patient Registry) is a database maintained by the Georgia Department of Public Health. It tracks registered patients and caregivers who have been authorized by a physician to possess and use medical cannabis under Georgia law. Patients must be listed in the registry and carry a valid registration card to legally possess medical cannabis products in Georgia.

Yes. Under O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18(e) as amended by Georgia SB 220, the Georgia Composite Medical Board is required to mandate semiannual reports from physicians treating registered medical cannabis patients. This is a state-imposed legal obligation, not a voluntary program.

The Georgia General Assembly created these requirements through Senate Bill 220 (2026). The Georgia Composite Medical Board (GCMB) is responsible for implementing and enforcing them. MMJ Health played no role in creating these requirements.

No. MMJ Health is complying with requirements established by the State of Georgia. The GCMB mandates that all physicians participating in Georgia’s medical cannabis program submit semiannual reports. MMJ Health, as a participating physician practice, is following the law.

Semiannual means twice per year. The GCMB sets the specific reporting periods and deadlines. Physicians are expected to submit reports covering their registered patients’ clinical outcomes, dosages, treatment responses, side effects, and related information at each reporting period.

The semiannual reporting obligation falls on physicians, not on patients. At MMJ Health, our physicians complete the form within the registry on your behalf after your visit, so you do not need to worry about missed deadlines. Because the form is required to maintain active patient registrations, completing it is essential for continuous, uninterrupted care. If you have specific questions about compliance obligations, contact the GCMB or Georgia DPH directly.

Not directly. Your registration card, under SB 220, is valid for five years from issuance as long as you remain eligible. Patients with curable conditions require annual physician certification of their continued diagnosis. The semiannual reporting requirement is a separate physician obligation focused on clinical outcome data; it is not a card renewal process. For renewal questions, visit our Georgia medical cannabis card page.

Visit the Georgia Department of Public Health and the Georgia Composite Medical Board for official program information. For questions about your evaluation or certification, visit our Georgia medical cannabis card page or schedule a telehealth consultation with an MMJ Health physician.

Georgia recognizes a specific list of qualifying conditions under O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18, including cancer, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, PTSD, intractable pain, and several others. SB 220 also added lupus and updated other condition definitions. MMJ Health serves Georgia patients statewide, including in-person evaluations in Athens, GA.

Have Questions About Your Georgia Card?

If you’ve received a notice about reporting requirements and aren’t sure what it means for your registration, we’re here to help clarify.
MMJ Health’s Georgia physicians operate in full compliance with all GCMB requirements and state regulations. Our team can walk you through what to expect and answer questions about your registration status, with telehealth appointments available the same day.

Schedule your Georgia medical cannabis consultation (telehealth available) →

For additional context, visit our overview of Georgia medical marijuana laws, explore Georgia dispensaries for registered patients, or review Georgia’s qualifying conditions to confirm your eligibility.

This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For authoritative guidance on Georgia’s medical cannabis reporting requirements, consult the Georgia Composite Medical Board or the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Sources: Georgia Senate Bill 220 (2026), “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act”; O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18 as amended; Georgia Composite Medical Board; Georgia Department of Public Health.

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