Georgia Cannabis Laws

Is cannabis legal in Georgia?

Only medical cannabis is legal in Georgia.

Select low-THC products are available for purchase for medical marijuana patients as of May 2023 at select Trulieve dispensaries.

Adult use is decriminalized in the cities of Atlanta, Clarkston, Forest Park, Savannah, South Fulton, Statesboro, unincorporated Fulton County, and Macon–Bibb County.

What are the medical marijuana laws in Georgia?

Medical cannabis laws:

1980

In February 1980, a 50-0 Senate vote and a 156-8 House vote passed Mona Taft’s bill supporting legal medical marijuana in Georgia for people diagnosed with glaucoma and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

2015

Haleigh’s Hope Act, HB1

• A measure to allow medical cannabis oil up to 5% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) passed the Georgia House in February 2015.
• On April 16, 2015, the low-THC cannabis oil (rich in cannabidiol, or CBD) was legalized for medical use in the state under HB 1, the Haleigh’s Hope Act.

2023

The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission approved the licenses of two companies — Trulieve and Botanical Sciences — to sell select THC products to registered medical marijuana patients, with Trulieve being the first of the two to open two dispensaries, located in Macon and Marietta, on May 5, 2023.

Recreational cannabis laws:

Recreational cannabis is not legal in Georgia.

What medical conditions qualify for a Medical Marijuana Card in Georgia?

The Georgia law lists the following medical conditions as qualifiers for a medical cannabis card:

• AIDS/HIV
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• Autism (must be severe if patient is under 18)
• Cancer (end stage or when treatment produces related wasting illness or nausea and vomiting)
• Crohn’s Disease
• Epidermolysis bullosa
• Intractable pain
• Mitochondrial Disease
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s Disease (PD)
• Peripheral Neuropathy
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Seizure disorders (including those caused by Epilepsy or head trauma or TBI)
• Sickle Cell Disease
• Terminal condition
• Tourette’s Syndrome

How do I get certified for medical cannabis in Georgia?

With Leafwell, you can get your Georgia Medical Marijuana Card in 4 simple steps:

1. Register online with Leafwell – You can speak to a doctor and qualify for a Georgia medical marijuana card online. The cost of the online consultation is $149. You are only billed if approved.
2. Attend your appointment and discuss with your physician why you would like an MMJ Card – The doctor will ask you questions based on your medical history and provide you with advice and guidance on whether medical marijuana is a good choice for you. You will need to sign a waiver, alongside this physician, as part of the process.
3. Receive your certificate and waiver from Leafwell – If approved, our physician will pass your information to the Georgia Low THC Oil Registry portal. The Georgia Department of Public Health will then reach out to you to request your certificate and your signed and notarised waiver. Once approved, they will let you know when your card has been printed
4. Pick up your card – You will be asked to arrange a pick up time and place to go and get your new Georgia Medical Marijuana Card. At this time, you will pay $25 for the card. There are 20 Public Health Offices in Georgia and your card can be picked up from the one most convenient to you. Your card will be valid for 2 years from the date issued.

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Is telemedicine allowed for medical cannabis consultations in Georgia?

Yes, telemedicine is legal in Georgia and you can get certified for cannabis online.

How much cannabis can I possess in Georgia with an MMJ Card?

Qualifying patients can purchase select low-THC products with a net weight of no more than 20 fluid ounces (oral capsules, sublinguals, topicals) and a maximum THC content of 5% from licensed dispensaries.

Is it legal to grow cannabis in Georgia?

It is illegal to grow cannabis in the state of Georgia, even for medical cannabis patients.

Does Georgia accept out-of-state cards?

Georgia does not recognize other states’ medical marijuana cards.

Will my Georgia card be accepted in other states?

We cannot say for sure whether or not a Georgia medical marijuana card will allow for in other states, due to its low-THC restrictions. Technically, there may be some allowances for Georgia patients in some other states with reciprocity.

The following states accept or recognize out-of-state medical marijuana cards:

• Arizona
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New Mexico
• Oklahoma
• Puerto Rico
• Rhode Island
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Utah
• Washington, D.C.

However, this does not always mean you can purchase cannabis at a medical marijuana dispensary (non-medical adult use is fine) – just that you are protected by the state’s medical marijuana laws to some extent. It is wise to call the dispensary ahead if you are a medical cannabis patient from another state and you intend on purchasing medical marijuana.

The qualifying condition usually has to match between states, so if your qualifying condition is accepted in one state and not your visiting state, your recommendation is not necessarily valid. You are also beholden to the visiting state’s medical marijuana laws, not the state that issued your card.

The following states accept out-of-state applications, allowing a visiting patient application to use medical cannabis for the duration of their stay:

• Arkansas
• California
• Hawaii
• West Virginia (cancer patients only)

Are there employment laws protecting medical cannabis card holders in Georgia?

Employers are not required to allow or accommodate the use or possession of marijuana in the workplace. Employers may enforce a zero-tolerance drug policy and terminate employees for testing positive for marijuana, even for off-duty use. Georgia law contains no language protecting medical marijuana users from employment discrimination.

What are the medical cannabis product testing requirements in Georgia?

Low THC is defined in Georgia as a product containing no more than 5% THC. Products are available in oral capsule, sublingual, and topical form. The use of non-organic pesticides is not allowed in the production of raw cannabis.

Where is it safe to purchase cannabis in Georgia?

In all states with a medical marijuana program, the only way to purchase medicinal cannabis products is via a legally-licensed dispensary or pharmacy, or another legally designated space to purchase cannabis. Only those with a legal license to sell cannabis can actually do so. As of May of 2023, the only medical marijuana dispensaries in Georgia are owned by Trulieve and are located in Macon and Marietta.

Where is it safe to consume marijuana in Georgia?

All states with a medical marijuana program have some restrictions on where a person can legally use cannabis. Near schools, nurseries, parks or other places where children are expected to be, using cannabis is illegal. Use of cannabis on or in federal land or buildings, hospitals or any other such healthcare space is also illegal. Private members club and landowners may also prohibit cannabis use on their property or restrict it at their discretion.

The safest place to use medical cannabis is in the safety of your own home. It is wise to use common sense and generally keep consumption out of public view, and utilize discreet consumption methods wherever possible.