Georgia
CANNABIS DISPENSARY REGULATIONS FOR GEORGIA
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (GMCC) continues to oversee the state’s medical cannabis program. As of May 31, 2024, the program allows physicians fully licensed in Georgia to certify patients with qualifying conditions for Low THC Oil Registry cards. These cards permit legal possession of up to 20 fluid ounces of Low THC Oil, which contains no more than 5% THC by weight.
The list of qualifying conditions has expanded since the program’s inception and now includes severe or end-stage cases of AIDS, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and sickle cell disease. Other qualifying conditions are autism spectrum disorder, Crohn’s disease, epidermolysis bullosa, intractable pain, mitochondrial disease, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, seizure disorders, and severe Tourette’s syndrome.
Dispensaries began opening in April 2023, marking a significant milestone in patient access. The program now allows for low-THC oils, tinctures, capsules, lotions, and transdermal patches, but does not include dry flower cannabis or infused edibles.
To obtain a Low THC Oil card, patients must be Georgia residents with a valid ID or driver’s license and have one of the qualifying conditions. They must be evaluated by a state-licensed physician who will enter their information into the state patient database if approved. Within 15 days, patients are notified to pick up their card from a public health office for a $25 fee.
The Georgia Department of Public Health maintains an updated website with information for physicians, patients, caregivers, and law enforcement. This resource provides details on card status checks, qualifying conditions, and general program FAQs.
While the program has made significant progress, it remains more limited compared to many other states’ medical cannabis programs. However, the continued updates and expansions demonstrate Georgia’s commitment to improving patient access to medical cannabis within its regulatory framework.
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CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN GEORGIA
Georgia has a limited history with cannabis legalization. In 2015, the state passed a law allowing for the use of low-THC cannabis oil for medical purposes, but the law remained restrictive and limited access to only a small number of conditions.
Since then, there have been efforts to expand access to medical cannabis in the state. In 2019, a bill was signed into law allowing for the production and sale of medical cannabis oil in the state, although access remains limited and the law has faced legal challenges.
Additionally, in November 2020, voters in several Georgia counties passed non-binding referendums calling for the legalization of recreational cannabis, although these referendums have no legal effect.
In 2021, Georgia passed a law that legalized the possession of up to one ounce of cannabis for personal use. However, the law did not legalize the cultivation, production, or sale of cannabis, and it also maintained criminal penalties for possession of more than one ounce.
Despite the recent legalization of cannabis possession, Georgia still has some of the harshest cannabis laws in the country, and the state has been slow to adopt comprehensive medical cannabis and adult-use cannabis laws.