Georgia’s approach to cannabis, including medical marijuana and hemp, is a complex legal landscape. The state has specific regulations regarding the possession, use, and distribution of marijuana and its derivatives.
On November 30, 2017, the Constitutional Court of Georgia decriminalized the personal use of marijuana and other cannabis-based products. However, the Court’s decision does not legalize the sale, distribution, or production of marijuana, which remain illegal activities. Decriminalization in this context means personal use of marijuana is no longer a criminal offense, but associated activities like sale and distribution still are. For more information, visit the Library of Congress.
Georgia’s medical marijuana law allows certain qualified persons to legally possess up to 20 fluid ounces of “low THC oil,” which is derived from the marijuana plant. This is regulated under the Low THC Oil Registry managed by the Georgia Department of Public Health. The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission also oversees the regulated licensing of limited in-state cultivation, production, manufacturing, and sale of low-THC oil, as well as dispensing to registered patients.
The cultivation of hemp, with less than 0.3% THC, is permitted in Georgia under specific licensing conditions set by the Georgia Department of Agriculture’s Hemp Program.
For those considering estate planning, it’s important to keep your will in a safe location and ensure that your executor can access it upon your death. Guidance on writing a will in Georgia can be found at Georgia.gov.
Understanding and adhering to these laws is crucial for residents and visitors in Georgia, as possession of any form of marijuana by an unauthorized person remains a violation of state and federal law.
