Is Weed Legal in Georgia? Here’s Everything You Need to Know
The status of weed legalization in the Peach State.
Atlanta is the epicenter of nightlife in Georgia. From classy cocktail bars to iconic clubs of all kinds, we have it all—well, except one thing. Despite Atlanta’s reputation as a fun-loving party town, Georgia weed laws haven’t gotten the memo and remain pretty buttoned up compared to other states across the country. The actual law of the land can be a bit confusing, so it’s always a good time to examine our current cannabis laws to figure out what’s legal and what’s smoke. And in this case, ironically, you don’t want that smoke.
So whether you’re a longtime resident or brushing up on the rulebook before a trip to Atlanta, here’s a state of the state on weed legalization in Georgia, with all of your questions about cannabis answered.
Is weed legal in Georgia?
No. Atlanta decriminalized weed back in 2017, but that does not make weed legal. When the then-mayor Kasim Reed signed the ordinance, a press release explained “the ordinance does not legalize or decriminalize possession of marijuana—it addresses the disparity in the punishment for possession. Research shows that white and Black Americans use marijuana at similar levels, yet Black Americans are arrested and charged at higher rates.”
Is weed legal anywhere in Georgia?
While recreational weed remains illegal throughout the state, residents can get weed for medicinal use. HB 324 allowed for medical use of CBD oil only, with less than 5% THC content. While it’s decriminalized in some major cities, like Atlanta, approval is hard to come by. Approval for low-THC oil is available for “qualified persons.”
Can I get a prescription? How?
Maybe! You have to be on the statewide registry to legally possess low-THC cannabis oil. There are two forms that must be filled out and sent in: One is a waiver that the applicant and a physician must sign, and the other is a physician certification form, which a doctor fills out. Once the doc submits the form and the state approves, the applicant will be notified that they can purchase a Low-THC Oil Registry Card for $25 from a nearby public health office.
Is there anywhere I can buy medical cannabis in Georgia?
No. The state even admits, “the new law does not address how low THC oil is made, purchased, or shipped. The law only creates a procedure to ensure qualified persons will be protected from prosecution for having it in their possession. The Georgia Department of Public Health does not prescribe or dispense low THC oil.”
Is recreational weed coming to Georgia soon... or ever?
While many states across the country are legalizing recreational cannabis, our state still has a long way to go. Atlanta’s “decriminalization” is a small step toward cultural acceptance, adding momentum to the larger statewide fight required for legalization to occur.
Experts like Joe Salome, owner of The Georgia Hemp Co. and Sympleaf Wellness, think the quickest way to legalization for states like Georgia is through federal legislation—but there’s no telling how long that could take.
“Federally, it will eventually happen,” Salome explains. “But the bigger win, honestly, is when medical companies can synthesize each one of these cannabinoids—that Dr. Raphael Mechoulam discovered—and actually see what it can do for our bodies and the diseases and conditions that we deal with every day that kill us.”
What does the future hold for legal weed?
Throughout the country, laws are beginning to change. Locations on the east coast such as Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey and Connecticut all allow medical and recreational marijuana usage, so it would be optimistic to think that Georgia may one day follow suit. When that day will arrive, however, is unclear. “Everyone involved would love to see full access to the plant, less regulations and less red tape,” Salome says. “I think we'd love to be able to grow our own at home as well, just like people can brew their own at home.”
Salome feels that traditional ways of thinking is the primary reason for the lack of movement when it comes to cannabis legalization, but with the world becoming more progressive, that time will come eventually, just not as quickly as some would like.
“We have a very old school mentality in our society right now about this product and this plant because of what we've been told for 100 years,” he continues. “That messaging is changing, and I think it's impacting little by little, but it's going to take some more time before we get to that vision of full access for both medical and personal enjoyment.”