{"id":1158,"date":"2019-08-26T18:50:02","date_gmt":"2019-08-26T18:50:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.medicalmarijuanainc.com\/?p=3327"},"modified":"2019-08-26T18:50:02","modified_gmt":"2019-08-26T18:50:02","slug":"georgia-marijuana-laws","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medicalmarijuanainc.com\/2019\/08\/26\/georgia-marijuana-laws\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Marijuana Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated August 2019<\/em><\/p>\n

A conservative state, Georgia has historically been resistant to cannabis legislation. However, the state has taken a small favorable step forward by passing a low-THC medical cannabis oil law. Further progress toward a comprehensive medical marijuana law or the legalization of recreational use, however, does not appear to be forthcoming. Learn more about Georgia marijuana laws below.<\/p>\n

Recreational Marijuana in Georgia<\/h3>\n

While a majority of voters in Georgia favor marijuana legalization<\/a>, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Georgia. Possession of up to 1 ounce is a misdemeanor punishable by 1 year in jail and a maximum fine of $6,000. First-time offenders may be given a conditional discharge, which can include the payment of fines and community service. Possession of any amount for non-personal use will be charged as a felony, punishable by a 1-year mandatory minimum sentence and a maximum fine of $15,000. The sale or delivery of any amount of marijuana is dealt with even more harshly with jail terms ranging from 2 years to life and a maximum fine of $60,000.<\/p>\n

In October 2017, the Atlanta City Council unanimously voted to decriminalize marijuana in the city of Atlanta<\/a>. The new policy eliminates jail times for individuals caught with less than an ounce of marijuana.<\/p>\n

Medical Marijuana in Georgia<\/h3>\n

Georgia\u2019s policy on medical marijuana took a turn for the better on April 16, 2015 when Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law House Bill 1. While the law is far from a comprehensive medical marijuana law, the law does legalize the use of up to 20 ounces of cannabis oil containing up to 5% percent THC \u2014 for patients suffering from various illnesses. In May 2018, Gov. Deal signed into law House Bill 65 to expand the program to include two new qualifying conditions — post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and intractable pain.<\/p>\n

Georgia’s medical marijuana law initially left patients with no way to legally buy cannabis even if they did qualify through a doctor’s approval to participate in the program. In April 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law a bill to allow medical marijuana to be grown and sold in Georgia. While medical marijuana sales are now legal, it will likely take over a year before state-licensed medical marijuana is available for patients to purchase.<\/p>\n

Under Georgia’s medical marijuana law, the use of low-THC cannabis oil is legal for medical patients diagnosed with:<\/p>\n