Having a medical marijuana card is essential for people who rely on marijuana for symptom management. It allows individuals with marijuana card qualifying conditions to easily access medical marijuana at licensed dispensaries. An expired card means you don’t get to enjoy these benefits until and unless your card is renewed. In this article, we’ll discuss the consequences of letting your card expire and the process to renew it and prevent expiration in the future.
Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Card Expire
When your medical marijuana card expires, it becomes invalid and will no longer grant you access to medical marijuana products. Letting your card expire can have physical and legal consequences, such as:
1. Loss of Purchasing Privilege
Your card allows you to purchase, possess, and consume medical marijuana legally. Without it, dispensaries won’t allow you to access medical marijuana products for symptom relief.
2. Interruption to Alternative Treatment
The biggest impact of an expired card is on symptom management. If you’re taking medical marijuana to relieve symptoms of a serious condition, losing your purchasing privileges can have a detrimental effect on your well-being.
How to Renew a Medical Marijuana Card
The steps for medical marijuana card renewal in Georgia are as follows:
1. Check Your Card Status
In Georgia, medical marijuana cards are valid for five years. You can check the expiration date on your card or review the status of your card.
2. Schedule a Doctor’s Appointment
If your card is about to expire, you’ll need to see a licensed medical marijuana doctor to renew it. They’ll check in with you to confirm that you’re still eligible and take note of any new symptoms or conditions that you’re experiencing, as well as any new medications you may be using. Once they’ve confirmed your card age requirements & eligibility, they’ll submit a renewal application to the Georgia Department of Public Health. Please note fees associated with the respective services may be applied.
3. Pay the Renewal Fee
Once your application has been processed, you’ll be asked to pay a renewal fee of $30 plus an additional fee of $3.75 for online payment.
4. Get Your New Card
Once your renewal application has been approved and you have paid the renewal fee, you can have your card mailed to you directly or pick it up at any of the 20 Public Health Offices in the state. You will need to wait up to 15 business days for your new card to be printed and ready to pick up.
Card Pickup or Delivery: Which Should You Choose?
Once your application is approved by the Georgia Department of Public Health, you will be notified to collect your card. There are 20 Public Health Offices set up across the state. You can have your card sent to the Health Office closest to the address given in your application, or you can have it mailed.
- Pickup: If you live near a Public Health Office, you can choose to go and pick up your card rather than wait for it to be delivered. Delivery requires that you sign off for your package. After three unsuccessful delivery attempts, your card will be sent back to the Georgia Department of Public Health. You can opt for pickup to avoid delays.
- Delivery: If you live far away from the nearest Public Health Office, or your condition doesn’t allow you to travel much, you can opt to have your card delivered to your home via UPS.
How to Avoid Letting Your Card Expire
Unexpected card expiry can be a hassle, especially if you’re taking medical marijuana to manage symptoms that impact your daily life. To avoid running into any problems, you can set a renewal reminder to appear three months prior to your card’s expiry date, which gives you ample time to renew your card before it expires.
Get Your Medical Marijuana Card Renewed Today!
A medical marijuana card provides you with access to products that can relieve pain, discomfort, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Keeping your card up-to-date is essential if you want to continue benefiting from medical marijuana. At Elevated Health MD, one of our licensed doctors can assist you with renewing your card before it expires and also assist with location requirements. With our 99% approval rate, you have no reason to worry. Our goal is to provide you with easy access to dispensaries so you can get the care you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my medical marijuana card online?
Yes! At Elevated Health MD, you can set up a teleconsultation with one of our doctors, who will confirm your eligibility and complete an application for you.
How long does it take to renew a medical marijuana card after expiration?
Processing times for card renewals can vary depending on the time of year and the volume of applications received by the Georgia Department of Public Health. Once your card has been processed, it generally takes 10-15 business days before it’s ready for pickup or delivery.
What happens if my application is delayed and I need to use medical marijuana?
If there is any delay in your application, you will need to find other ways of managing your symptoms, as dispensaries cannot sell you medical marijuana without a valid card.
How can I manage my symptoms while I wait for a new medical marijuana card?
Card renewal can take a few weeks. If you use medical marijuana for relief from pain or inflammation or to improve daily functioning, you could try the following alternatives while you wait for your card:
Acupuncture: Originating from traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is believed to be an effective pain reliever. It involves thin needles being inserted into your skin to balance the body’s energy pathways. In addition to relieving pain, it can reduce stress and potentially promote healing.
Meditation: Known for having physical and mental benefits, meditation has been used for thousands of years to focus the mind and promote a sense of calm. There are many ways to meditate. You can focus on the physical sensations in your body, on specific emotions you want to experience, or on a mantra that resonates with you. This practice can help you manage symptoms of anxiety and help you forget about your pain.
Clove Oil: Clove oil can be applied topically to relieve localized pain. It contains a compound called eugenol that has been shown to have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. As an added benefit, it smells absolutely amazing!
What are the penalties for buying and using marijuana without a medical marijuana card?
The laws regarding marijuana possession and use are very strict in Georgia. Recreational marijuana is completely illegal, and medical marijuana is only legal when used by individuals with certain medical conditions. Even people with medical marijuana cards are only allowed to use low-THC oil products in certain forms, such as gummies, tinctures, topicals, and capsules.
Possessing and using marijuana or marijuana-derived products without a medical marijuana card can lead to severe penalties. The penalties for marijuana possession or use depend on the amount of marijuana in your possession and how you intend to use it. Possessing less than an ounce of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by a $1000 fine or up to one year in prison. Having a medical marijuana card provides you with legal protection against criminal charges, which is why it’s important to only purchase low-THC oil products if you have a valid card.
How much does a medical marijuana card renewal consultation cost?
At Elevated Health MD, we provide card registration and renewal services. If you register through us, we will notify you when your card’s expiry date is approaching and also set up a telehealth consultation for the renewal process. The cost of a card renewal consultation is $150.
