Georgia Recreational & Medical Marijuana Laws
What's the real status on Georgia marijuana laws?
Looking for information on Georgia recreational marijuana and medical marijuana laws? Or did you come to HempNewsBiz because you are curious about CBD and it's legality within Georgia? Here are other ways you may have found this page on Georgia marijuana and CBD laws:
Georgia Marijuana Laws
State marijuana laws are a little different, and they change often. While Georgia has traditionally had stringent laws regarding cannabis use, the peach state allows minimal use of the herb. House Act No. 1, also known as the “Haleigh’s Hope Act,” allows eligible patients to have cannabis oil with low THC (which produces a “high”). Subject to change as this area of the law and regulation continues to evolve.
Possession, sale, trade, and cultivation of marijuana are illegal in most states, although a few states strictly regulate its recreational use (with different approaches to retailing and home growing). However, nearly half of all states allow the medical use of cannabis. Marijuana laws in Georgia are relatively strict, but many counties in the state offer alternative punishment programs for offenders, which provide treatment instead of imprisonment.
The possession of more than 1 ounce of marijuana in Georgia is punishable by one to ten years in prison. The City of Savannah has decriminalized marijuana possession, effective July 1, 2018. This means that a first-time offender (such as a speeding ticket) will be issued instead of imprisonment, with a maximum fine of $150. Those unable to pay may do community service instead.
Georgia Law on Medical Marijuana
Georgia becomes the 24th state to enact the medical marijuana law. On April 16, 2015, the Governor Nathan Deal signed a legislation to immediately legalize the use of a low potency form of cannabis oil for medicinal uses. However, unlike other medical marijuana laws enacted recently, Georgia law does not contain language that protects medical marijuana users from employment discrimination.
Instead, the law covers employers from employees who show up to work or remain on duty after taking medication. It states: “Nothing in this article requires an employer to allow the use, consumption, possession, transfer, display, transfer, sale, or cultivation of marijuana in any way, or to affect an employer’s ability to obtain information in a written non-policy. Absolute tolerance prohibits the use of marijuana on and off the job or prohibits any employee from having a detectable amount of the marijuana in that employee’s system while on the job.”
The new law, House Bill 1, known as “Haleigh’s Hope Act,” allows patients with cancer, Crohn’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, mitochondrial disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, seizure disorders, and sickle cell disease to own up to 20 ounces from Low THC Oil.
Low THC oil cannot contain more than five percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive agent in marijuana. Smoking marijuana is not permitted by law. (The law was named after a child with chronic seizure disorders who, after experiencing hundreds of seizures a day, moved from Georgia to Colorado, where medical marijuana is allowed.)
Georgia Law on Recreational Marijuana
The cannabis in Georgia is illegal for recreational use, but it has been decriminalized in the cities of Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, Athens, and others. In addition, limited medical use is permitted in cannabis oil containing less than 5% THC.
Georgia Law on the Use of CBD oils
The CBD is legal in Georgia if it contains no more than 0.3% THC. Your CBD should have a clear and precise label, e.g., many fake products with inaccurate brands, unverified tests, and unnatural ingredients.
Georgia Marijuana Penalties
The possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in prison and fine of up-to $1,000 or public works for up to 12 months. The possession of more than 01 ounce is a felony punishable by imprisonment for no less than 1 year and not more than ten years.
Possession with the intent to distribute 10 pounds or less of marijuana is a felony punishable by the imprisonment for a minimum of one year and a maximum of 10 years. Possession of more than 10 pounds and less than 2,000 pounds is punishable by imprisonment with a minimum of 5 years, a maximum of 30 years, and a fine of $100,000.
The possession of 2,000 pounds or more but less than 10,000 pounds is punishable by a minimum of 7 years, a maximum of 30 years in prison, and a fine of 250 thousand dollars. The possession of 10,000 pounds or more is punishable by a minimum of 15 years in prison and maximum of 30 years, and a fine of $1,000,000.
Anyone who gives up a controlled substance, including marijuana, in a public place is guilty of misdemeanor punishable by up-to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000.
Georgia Marijuana Laws in relation to the US Federal Government
As stated before, the US federal government still considers marijuana use illegal for United States citizens, immigrants and tourists. While the federal government still calls marijuana an illegal drug, they have left most enforcement of marijuana law to the US States, partly because the federal government has more important things to deal with on a daily basis. This gives Georgia the power to mostly set and enforce its own marijuana laws regarding recreational and medical marijuana usage, possession and distribution.
Georgia Law and other US States
Georgia's marijuana and CBD laws and penalties are unique to Georgia. Every U.S. State has a different legal stance involving medical marijuana, recreational marijuana and CBD products. The states that prohibit certain aspects of marijuana also have varying penalties for violation of their laws.
The best thing to do is to be informed and visit our United States marijuana law pages and our individual US state profile pages regarding marijuana and CBD.
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