Understanding Georgia’s Medical Cannabis Laws and Regulations

Georgia’s approach to medical cannabis is distinct and more limited compared to other states. The state’s laws do not legalize the growing, sale, or possession of marijuana in plant or leaf form. Additionally, they do not permit the production, sale, or ingestion of food products infused with low THC oil, nor the inhalation of low THC oil through smoking, electronic vaping, or vapor. Georgia’s laws also do not allow physicians to prescribe marijuana or related products.

In a significant legal development, on November 30, 2017, the Constitutional Court of Georgia decriminalized the personal use of marijuana and other cannabis-based products. This landmark decision recognized the right to use marijuana while acknowledging its potential health risks. However, it did not legalize the sale, distribution, or cultivation of marijuana. For more details, see the Library of Congress report on this ruling.

Georgia’s Hope Act, officially known as the Official Code of Georgia Annotated 16-12, came into effect on July 1, 2019. This legislation established the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, which is administratively attached for budget, procurement, and human resources support to the Office of the Georgia Secretary of State. For further information, visit the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission – History & Purpose.

The state’s medical marijuana law allows certain qualified individuals to legally possess up to 20 fluid ounces of “low THC oil,” derived from the marijuana plant. The Georgia Department of Public Health is authorized to issue a “Low THC Oil Registry Card” to qualified persons, affirming their authorization to possess this oil. Learn more about this process at the Low THC Oil Registry | Georgia Department of Public Health.

For the general public seeking more information on this subject, the Georgia Department of Public Health provides a comprehensive FAQ. It can be accessed through the Low THC Oil FAQ for General Public link.