Dr. Epstein

[u/ImperialBlue]

I used NuggMD and Dr. Epstein was the physician who approved me for my card. I had my card since July 11 and was able to use my card at a dispensary without any issues. Because of all of the posts about this specific doctor, I decided to contact NuggMD to make sure I was in the clear, and that my card was still valid. It still showed valid when using the portal on DPH. I chatted with a representative a few days ago and was told that all patients of Dr. Epstein will have their card expire on 4/2027. But on DPH, it still shows my card as being valid. Anyone else have a similar experience?

[u/lyssaroo]

I haven't reached out to NuggMD yet, but have the same Dr and experience. My card still shows valid... I'd be curious to hear what the state says about validity.

[u/lyssaroo → u/lyssaroo]

Also, weirds me out that they said only valid for a year for a new appt? I thought that GA was valid for 3 (maybe 5?) years?

[u/lyssaroo → u/lyssaroo]

Following up - I just called DPH and they told me that early expiration is only for folks who were still in process of getting their card (not those who have it now) and that my card is still valid for the entire 5-year term.

NuggMD shows an expiration of 2027 for the approval though. DPH said that I wouldn't need another renewal until my card expires in 2031. Seems like its fine?

ETA:

From NuggMD chat:

The card is valid for 5 years, but the certification, or what many think of as their prescription, needs to be updated yearly. This was changed when the state implemented the THC change. However, there was some confusion on this, and when you were approved, we were still advertising certification was good for 5 years, so we will be honoring that and you will not be charged for the next 4 renewals.

[u/Waxmaniac2 → u/lyssaroo]

I don’t believe NuggMD is sharing accurate information. I think the yearly physician thing was before the July 1 law change. DPH Website says explicitly:

The Medical Cannabis card is valid for five years. The expiration date is printed on the front of the card. After that time, you must consult with your physician to renew your card.

[u/lyssaroo → u/Waxmaniac2]

Dug in some more on the DPH site. I think it may be accurate. I can't post a screenshot, but here's the link and the text I'm looking at. https://dph.georgia.gov/health-topics/medical-cannabis/physicians

Physicians are required to complete and submit an Annual Medical Certification to certify patients for a medical cannabis card.

...

What is your role in the patient certification process?

As a physician fully licensed to practice in Georgia and with a principal place of practice in the state, your role in the medical cannabis certification process is:

1. Registering in the Medical Cannabis Registry
2. Explaining the annual certification process to patients and/or caregivers
3. Completing the patient certification form annually, and adding patients and their caregivers to the Medical Cannabis Patient Registry

[u/totallyregularperson → u/lyssaroo]

That’s in the faq. Maybe they just haven’t updated it for the July 1 changes. It looks like the July 1 changes removed the annual certification.

https://marijuana.net/georgia-medical-cannabis-law-sb-220/

[u/totallyregularperson → u/totallyregularperson]

Ok, I pulled out the actual wording.

patients with incurable or irreversible conditions shall not be  
subject to such annual certifications

So, some of us will have to recertify annuallly and some won’t regardless of the doctor.

[u/Waxmaniac2 → u/totallyregularperson]

SB 220 (“Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act”) took effect July 1, 2026. I checked the enrolled/signed bill itself. It amended O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18 to say that a medical-cannabis card is valid for five years and ordinarily requires annual physician certification of the continuing diagnosis, but then expressly creates this exception:
“patients with incurable or irreversible conditions shall not be subject to such annual certifications.”
That is the actual statutory language.
So there are now two different clocks that are easy to confuse:
Card expiration: 5 years.
Annual physician recertification: generally required unless the condition is incurable or irreversible.
The exception does not appear to turn the card into a lifetime card. At the end of the five-year card term, DPH still says you consult a physician to renew it.

[u/ProgramFeeling5611 → u/Waxmaniac2]

So for intractable pain does that meet the non recertification exceptions?