Is Marijuana Legal in Georgia?
As of now, marijuana is not fully legal in Georgia. The state has enacted a limited medical marijuana program, but recreational use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis remain illegal. In 2015, Georgia passed House Bill 1, also known as Haleigh’s Hope Act, which allows registered patients with qualifying medical conditions to possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low-THC cannabis oil. However, the law does not provide any means for patients to legally obtain the oil within the state. Furthermore, there are no provisions for home cultivation or a state-regulated dispensary system.
What is the Public Opinion on Cannabis in Georgia?
Public opinion on cannabis in Georgia has been shifting over the years. According to a 2019 poll conducted by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 50% of Georgians support the legalization of marijuana for recreational use, while 46% oppose it. Support for medical marijuana is even stronger, with 77% of respondents in favor of allowing doctors to prescribe cannabis for a wide range of medical conditions. This shift in public opinion may influence future legislative efforts to reform Georgia’s cannabis laws.
Georgia’s cannabis laws remain strict, and penalties for possession, sale, and cultivation can be severe. Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Possession of more than one ounce is a felony, with penalties ranging from one to ten years in prison and fines up to $5,000. Sale and cultivation of cannabis are also felonies, with penalties depending on the amount involved and whether the offense occurred within 1,000 feet of a school or other designated drug-free zone.
Law enforcement agencies in Georgia actively enforce these laws, and marijuana-related arrests remain common. However, some jurisdictions within the state have adopted local decriminalization policies. For example, the city of Atlanta decriminalized possession of less than one ounce of marijuana in 2017, reducing the penalty to a $75 fine and no jail time.
What Terminology is Used for Cannabis in Georgia?
Georgia’s cannabis laws refer to marijuana as marijuana or cannabis. The state’s medical marijuana program specifically allows for low-THC cannabis oil, which is defined as an oil containing no more than 5% THC and an amount of CBD equal to or greater than the amount of THC. Other common terms for cannabis include weed, pot, and ganja.
What is the Legal Status of CBD in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, CBD products derived from hemp are legal. The 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp production at the federal level, and Georgia passed its own legislation in 2019 to establish a hemp production program. CBD products must contain no more than 0.3% THC to be considered legal under state and federal law. However, the sale and possession of CBD products derived from marijuana remain illegal in Georgia.
Is Medical Cannabis Legal in Georgia?
Medical cannabis is legal in Georgia, but only in the form of low-THC cannabis oil. Haleigh’s Hope Act allows registered patients with qualifying medical conditions to possess up to 20 fluid ounces of this oil. However, the law does not provide any means for patients to legally obtain the oil within the state. Furthermore, there are no provisions for home cultivation or a state-regulated dispensary system.
Can I Grow Cannabis in Georgia?
No, cultivating cannabis is illegal in Georgia, even for medical purposes. Cultivation of any amount of marijuana is a felony, with penalties ranging from one to ten years in prison and fines up to $5,000.
- Haleigh’s Hope Act (House Bill 1)
- Georgia Hemp Farming Act (House Bill 213)
- Georgia Department of Public Health Low THC Oil Registry
- NORML – Georgia Laws and Penalties
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Georgia Cannabis Poll