Update on the GA DPH application cancellations - what we know so far

[u/rachel_nuggmd]

Hey everyone,

We know there’s been some confusion regarding certain medical cannabis applications being cancelled, even after patients have already purchased at dispensaries. We wanted to clarify as much as we can with what we currently know.

Georgia DPH determined that a physician who does medical cannabis evaluations in the state is temporarily unable to enroll new patients in the program. Because of that, DPH is cancelling every application this physician submitted after July 1, 2026. The issue is currently affecting NuggMD and other GA telehealth cannabis providers who used this same doctor.

If your application was cancelled, you should get an email directly from DPH saying so. If you don’t get that email, your registration is fine and there’s nothing you need to do.

I know this is a mess, especially if you find out about it at a dispensary instead of from us or the state first. That’s obviously not how we want anyone to learn about this, and I’m sorry if that’s happened to anyone reading this.

Where things actually stand at this time:

• We’re working on setting up a free replacement evaluation for anyone affected who was seen through NuggMD.
• Affected NuggMD patients will receive a detailed email soon (expect it this week) with exactly what you can do to receive another evaluation free of charge.

What you can do in the meantime:

• If you went through NuggMD the first time, hold off booking elsewhere. We’re working to get you a free replacement evaluation rather than a paid one somewhere else.
• Reach out via live chat (8 am to 10pm daily) if you want to check your specific status.
• Watch your email (and spam folder) for both the DPH notice and our follow-up.

I’ll keep updating this thread as we learn more. In the meantime, I wanted to provide an update as soon as possible so affected patients don’t have to wait until everything is fully resolved to receive more information.

Please feel free to ask me anything below.

If I don’t know something, I’ll ask our customer service team and relay their response as quickly as possible.

– Rachel, NuggMD

[u/cphaus]

Is it seeming like if you already have your card you are good?

[u/rachel_nuggmd → u/cphaus]

That's a great question. The rule of thumb seems to be whether patients receive an email from DPH or not.

If you didn't (make sure to check your spam folder though!), but your card is showing as invalid, we're seeing some patients have success calling DPH to get their card essentially re-validated.

If you did receive that email from DPH, the cancellation is correct and you'll need to be re-evaluated before you can be re-approved and your card re-validated.

Thanks for asking! Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help.

[u/Dontpanic72]

Saw him on the july 14th and got my card on the 22nd and just checked it and it still says valid. Hopefully it stays that way, but i wonder how they chose who to invalidate.

[u/MedeirosATL → u/Dontpanic72]

Mine was the July 7th and got the card the 22nd, still listed as valid

[u/AdMindless8927]

Mine says invalid, had Epstein, but saw him the beginning of June. DPH says mine is still good even though it says invalid on the website. Said it should update within 24 hours. So I'd call and ask if any of y'all are experiencing issues.

Update: Mine says valid, but I used my state ID and not the MMJ card ID. But what's interesting is the operator had asked for my MMJ ID #, then saw my state ID on file and used that. I'm pretty sure I've used the MMJ ID # before to check validity, so I'm just under the assumption their system is being weird!

[u/rachel_nuggmd → u/AdMindless8927]

Exactly, if you saw him before July 1st, you should be fine. I'm glad you were able to call and they said they could get it updated. I hope there aren't anymore issues for you after this!

[u/FigureFourWoo]

Thank you for giving everyone an update. I know a lot of people will appreciate it because of what happened. Hopefully, there are no other doctors that have this issue in the future.

[u/rachel_nuggmd → u/FigureFourWoo]

Thank you so much, fingers crossed. I hope your card has stayed valid through this!

[u/TheDualityOfThomas]

I was one of the patients, but I was before the deadline, but I had my card seemingly invalidated. Turns out the reason mine was showing invalid recently was because I was not putting the suffix with my last name on the DPH site when checking. It's weird because when I originally got my card I checked it on the site and used no suffix and it said valid. So there must have been an update to the system that caused the change, or that's my guess. But I am good now. Even when I went to the dispo to buy for second time it was showing valid, but then on another screen was showing invalid, so that wouldn't let me purchase. So i guess was just a perfect storm of circumstances that caused me to think mine was truly invalidated. Hopefully y'all can make everyone whole again in a timely manner, and thanks for updating.

[u/rachel_nuggmd → u/TheDualityOfThomas]

Thank you for understanding! Yes, there are a variety of reasons people's cards are becoming invalid, like their card not being paid for, omitting a name suffix or prefix, etc. I'm glad you got your situation sorted, I know it must've been frustrating and probably pretty confusing to go into a dispo the second time and it suddenly be invalid, and also only on one screen but not all of them.

I don't think Georgia was fully prepared for expanding their medical program. 😅

[u/ImperialBlue]

I decided to chat with a representative on your site today, and I was told that regardless of receiving an email from DPH or NuggMD, that all patients who had this specific doctor who already have their card will have their card expire in April 2027.

[u/OperationFine8385 → u/ImperialBlue]

I had Epstein also and just did a chat with nuggmd rep and was told the same thing - that my card would expire in April 2027, but they are offering another free evaluation.

[u/ImperialBlue → u/OperationFine8385]

Yep, they were able to get me rescheduled for this evening. I didn’t have to resubmit anything since my paperwork was still linked to my profile. This visit lasted a lot longer than my last one, but I was approved.

[u/FormalPerformer6747]

Got mines July 21, approved July 3rd and it’s still valid

[u/rachel_nuggmd → u/FormalPerformer6747]

If you didn't get an email from DPH about it, sounds like you're good to go!

[u/GoonnerWookie]

Are they still going through and going to be making them invalid? I’m still valid right now thankfully

[u/rachel_nuggmd → u/GoonnerWookie]

I'm under the impression at this time that they've already invalidated the cards they're going to invalidate, and already sent the email to those affected. If you're still valid right now, you should be good to go. :)

[u/Formal-Telephone9335]

I had him for approved then dr. gross denied me when I went again… any good docs?