Qualifying condition
Sickle Cell Disease and the Georgia Medical Cannabis Card
An inherited red blood cell disorder confirmed by electrophoresis.
What Georgia law says
“Sickle cell disease”
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.
What documentation usually looks like
Hematology notes, hemoglobin electrophoresis or HPLC results, and crisis and treatment history.
- Sickle cell disease is confirmed by hemoglobin electrophoresis or high performance liquid chromatography, which identifies the hemoglobin variant — HbSS, HbSC, HbS beta-thalassemia and related genotypes. That laboratory report is the definitive document, and most patients in the United States have one from newborn screening as well as later confirmatory testing.
- Hematology is the treating specialty, and the chart typically includes complete blood counts with reticulocyte values, records of vaso-occlusive crises and hospital admissions, transfusion history, and treatment with hydroxyurea, L-glutamine, crizanlizumab or voxelotor. Any of these hematology records that name the diagnosis supports the file.
How certification works for this condition
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.
If you don't have records yet
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.
Sickle Cell Disease: common questions
Other qualifying conditions
Ready to start?
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.
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