PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and the Georgia Medical Cannabis Card

“Post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma, for a patient at least 18 years of age”

Qualifier to note: This condition carries two qualifiers. The patient must be at least 18 years of age, and the PTSD must result from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma. Both elements are part of the statutory language.

Proof of a qualifying diagnosis is required. Certification is a clinical decision by the physician, and no outcome is promised. Certification is not a prescription.

Psychiatry or psychology evaluation notes stating the diagnosis, structured assessment scores, VA mental health records, and treatment history.

• PTSD documentation comes from a psychiatric or psychological evaluation. The record that establishes it is a note from a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker or other mental health clinician stating the diagnosis, often supported by structured measures such as the PCL-5 or CAPS-5. For veterans, VA mental health records and service-connected disability documentation carry the diagnosis directly.
• Because the statute ties the diagnosis to trauma exposure, the clinical note ideally reflects that history in general terms — that the diagnosis follows exposure to or witnessing of a traumatic event. Treatment history supports the record as well: documented psychotherapy such as CPT, EMDR or prolonged exposure, and prescriptions such as sertraline, paroxetine or prazosin.

The process is the same for every qualifying diagnosis: you book and pay on the telehealth platform, complete your intake forms, and upload your diagnosis documentation and identification. Once that is complete your appointment is confirmed. You join by video, Dr. Shri Parimi verifies your identification and reviews your documentation and history with you, and makes a clinical decision. After a successful visit the State of Georgia emails you, you pay the state fee, and the card is mailed to you. See the six steps in detail or review the two separate fees.

Many patients do not have their documentation in hand, and that is workable. You can ask Dr. Shri Parimi to request records from your treating physician with your written permission, or bring what you already have — a discharge summary, a portal printout, a laboratory result — and discuss the rest at the visit. Proof of a qualifying diagnosis is required before any certification can be made, so the earlier you start gathering records, the smoother the visit.

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See all 18 qualifying conditions