Georgia
Cannabis laws & medical marijuana program in Georgia
- $25/yr
- STATE FEE
- 1–14 d
- TIMELINE
- 15
- CONDITIONS
- 18
- MIN AGE
MEDICAL
LegalPROGRAM
- Year legalized
- 2015
- Reciprocity
- ✗ No
LIMITS
- Possession
- Up to 20 fluid ounces of low-THC oil (≤5% THC); no smokable flower; no edibles
- Flower allowed
- ✗ Not allowed
- Cultivation
- ✗ Not allowed
COST & TIMELINE
- State fee
- $25 /yr
- Physician fee
- $125–$250 (typical)
- Timeline
- 1–14 days
ELIGIBILITY
- Patient min age
- 18
- Caregiver min age
- 21 (parent of minor patient may serve as caregiver)
- Out-of-state eligible
- ✗ No
RECREATIONAL
Not legalHEMP
ConditionalSTATUS
- CBD
- Legal
- Delta-8 THC
- Restricted
- Delta-10 THC
- Restricted
- THCa
- Restricted
RULES
- Age limit
- 21+ for consumable hemp products (SB 220, effective October 2024)
- Retail rules
- SB 220 requires Georgia Department of Agriculture licensing for consumable hemp retailers, packaging restrictions, child-resistant containers, and lab testing. Total THC (including THCa converted) is capped to maintain hemp classification. Vapor products are regulated under the same framework.
- Notes
- Georgia tightened its hemp regulatory framework significantly with SB 220 (2024), which moved beyond the 2018 Farm Bill default and imposed total-THC potency rules. Some delta-8 and high-THCa products previously sold legally are now restricted under the new total-THC math.
Qualifying conditions
How to register as a patient in Georgia
- Get a written physician certification under Haleigh’s Hope Act. A Georgia-licensed physician must certify the patient for one of the enumerated qualifying conditions under O.C.G.A. §31-2A-18 (cancer, ALS, seizure disorders, MS, Crohn’s, Parkinson’s, mitochondrial disease, sickle-cell disease, Tourette’s, autism, severe epidermolysis bullosa, peripheral neuropathy, terminal illness, severe or end-stage AIDS, Alzheimer’s, PTSD, intractable pain, and hospice-eligible patients). The physician submits the certification electronically to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
- Complete the Low-THC Oil Patient Registry application. After the physician submits the certification, the patient visits the closest Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) office or a county health department to complete the registration in person. The patient brings a Georgia driver license or state ID and the $25 application fee.
- Pay the $25 state fee and receive the Low-THC Oil Registry card. The biennial Low-THC Oil Registry Card fee is $25, paid by check or money order at the time of in-person registration. Caregivers are added for an additional $25 and must pass a state background check. The card is issued the same day in most cases.
- Purchase low-THC oil from a Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission dispensary. Georgia operates a low-THC-oil-only program (oil with no more than 5% THC). With the Low-THC Oil Registry card, patients may possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low-THC oil and purchase from the limited number of Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (GMCC) licensed dispensaries that launched in 2023. The program does not authorize flower, edibles, or vapor products and does not honor out-of-state medical cards.
- State registration fee
- $25
- Physician visit (typical)
- $125–$250
- Certification to card
- 1–14 days
- Out-of-state patients
- Not eligible
- Minors
- Eligible with caregiver
Hemp sources: Georgia SB 220 (2024) — consumable hemp products; Georgia Department of Agriculture: Hemp Program
For product-specific guides, see all hemp products.
Articles on Georgia
Georgia's SB 220 quietly broke the 'oil only' rule that defined its medical program for a decade
SB 220 authorizes vaporization in Georgia's medical cannabis program for the first time, breaking the 'oil only' identity Haleigh's Hope Act locked in for ten years. The 5% THC cap and dispensary bottleneck still constrain access.
Overview
Georgia operates a limited low-THC medical cannabis program under O.C.G.A. §§ 16-12-200 through 16-12-211, with no comprehensive medical framework and no adult-use legalization. The program was created by Haleigh's Hope Act (HB 1, 2015), which legalized possession of low-THC oil for eight conditions, and expanded over a decade of legislative work: most consequentially by Georgia's Hope Act (HB 324, 2019), which authorized in-state cultivation and dispensary sales.
Georgia prohibits recreational cannabis statewide. HB 1248 would have legalized adult-use in 2026 but died in committee. Several cities (including Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens-Clarke County) operate municipal decriminalization ordinances reducing small-amount possession to civil fines.
Medical program. Low-THC Oil Patient Registry
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (GMCC) regulates licensing, cultivation, processing, and dispensary operations. The Georgia Department of Public Health administers the Low-THC Oil Patient Registry where qualified patients are issued the ID card that authorizes possession.
Qualifying conditions
Per O.C.G.A. § 16-12-201, qualifying conditions include (with most requiring "severe" or "end-stage" status unless noted):
- Cancer (end-stage or treatment-induced symptoms)
- ALS
- Seizure disorders / epilepsy
- Multiple sclerosis
- Crohn's disease
- Mitochondrial disease
- Parkinson's disease
- Sickle-cell disease
- Tourette syndrome
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Epidermolysis bullosa
- Alzheimer's disease
- AIDS
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Hospice / terminal diagnosis
- Intractable pain (added by HB 65, 2018)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (added by HB 65, 2018)
A 2026 bill (SB 220) is reported to expand the qualifying-conditions list and authorize vaporization for selected patients. Verify the signed status and additions (including a possible Lupus addition) directly with the GMCC before relying on this list as exhaustive.
Product forms and limits
- THC cap: 5% by weight in low-THC oil.
- Possession cap: registered patients may possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low-THC oil.
- Approved forms (as of SB 195, 2021): oils, tinctures, transdermal patches, lotions, capsules.
- Prohibited: smokable flower, edibles.
- Vaporization: authorized for selected patients via 2026 SB 220. Confirm scope in current GMCC rules.
- Home cultivation: prohibited for patients.
- Reciprocity: none.
Dispensaries
Georgia's first licensed dispensaries opened on April 28, 2023:
- Trulieve Georgia. Marietta
- Botanical Sciences. Macon
Additional Class 1 and Class 2 cultivation licenses were awarded under HB 324, with operators still completing build-out and bringing additional retail locations online through 2025–2026.
Adult-use penalties
Per O.C.G.A. §§ 16-13-2 and 16-13-30:
- Under 1 oz: misdemeanor. Up to 1 year jail, $1,000 fine.
- Over 1 oz: felony: 1 to 10 years (1-year mandatory minimum), $5,000.
- Intent to distribute ≤10 lb: felony 1–10 years, $5,000.
- 10 – 2,000 lb: felony 5–30 years (5-year minimum), $100,000.
- 2,000 – 10,000 lb: felony 7–30 years (7-year minimum), $250,000.
- Over 10,000 lb: felony 15–30 years (15-year minimum), $1,000,000.
- Sale within 1,000 feet of a school, park, or housing project: enhanced felony: 5–40 years (5-year minimum), $40,000.
- Hashish / concentrate: felony from any amount; 1-year minimum at under 1 gram.
Municipal decriminalization
Local-jurisdiction ordinances have reduced small-amount possession to civil fines without overriding state law:
- Atlanta (2017): up to $75 fine for ≤1 oz; no jail time.
- Savannah (2018): up to $150 fine.
- Athens-Clarke County (2022): civil-citation program.
These programs operate at the discretion of local police and prosecutors and can be revoked at any time. Possession remains a misdemeanor under state law and Georgia State Patrol enforcement is not bound by city ordinances.
Federal employment and military service
Georgia hosts a substantial Army and Air Force footprint. Fort Stewart, Hunter Army Airfield, Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Robins Air Force Base, and Moody Air Force Base collectively employ several hundred thousand active-duty service members, federal civilian staff, and federal contractors. Georgia's medical program is limited to low-THC oil under the Hope Act, and federal employment frameworks apply to those participants the same as to any other Georgian.
Affected populations:
- Active-duty military: UCMJ Article 112a prohibits cannabis use regardless of state law. A positive THC test results in administrative or punitive discipline.
- Federal civilian employees: subject to federal drug-free workplace rules under 5 U.S.C. §7301. A positive THC test is grounds for adverse action even where the employee holds a Georgia low-THC oil registry card.
- Security clearance holders: SEAD 4 treats current cannabis use as a clearance concern regardless of state legality.
- Federal contractors: Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 applies; drug-testing requirements often flow through subcontract chains.
- CDL holders and other DOT-regulated employees: Department of Transportation 49 CFR Part 40 testing rules prohibit cannabis use; a positive test is disqualifying.
Georgia state law does not provide employment-discrimination protection for medical low-THC oil registry holders. Employers may discipline or terminate for any positive THC test. VA medical providers in Georgia cannot prescribe or recommend cannabis under federal VA policy, though VA benefits eligibility is not affected by lawful state-program participation. Informational only; not legal advice; consult a licensed Georgia attorney for individual situations.
Frequently asked questions
Is recreational marijuana legal in Georgia?
No. Adult-use cannabis remains illegal in Georgia. Possession of less than 1 ounce is a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. §16-13-2 with up to 1 year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Possession of more than 1 ounce is a felony under O.C.G.A. §16-13-30 with 1 to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine, including a one-year mandatory minimum. Possession with intent to distribute, sale, or manufacture escalates through felony tiers — 10 to 2,000 pounds carries 5 to 30 years and a $100,000 fine. Atlanta (2017, civil fine up to $75), Savannah (2018, civil fine up to $150), and Athens-Clarke County (2022) operate municipal civil-fine ordinances, but those do not override state law and Georgia State Patrol may still charge under state statute. Georgia has no citizen-initiated ballot process; any change must originate in the legislature. Last reviewed 2026-05-18. Informational only — not medical or legal advice.
Who qualifies for the Georgia Low-THC Oil Patient Registry?
Per O.C.G.A. §16-12-201, the Georgia Hope Act enumerates qualifying conditions including cancer (end-stage or treatment-induced symptoms), ALS, seizure disorders, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, mitochondrial disease, Parkinson's disease, sickle-cell disease, Tourette syndrome, autism spectrum disorder (severe), epidermolysis bullosa, Alzheimer's disease, AIDS, peripheral neuropathy, hospice or terminal diagnosis, intractable pain, and PTSD. Most conditions require severe or end-stage status to qualify, making Georgia's program among the most restrictive in the country. A Georgia-licensed physician must establish a bona fide patient-physician relationship and submit a written certification to the Department of Public Health Low-THC Oil Patient Registry. Patients must be Georgia residents 18 or older; minor patients require a designated caregiver (typically a parent or legal guardian) and parental consent. Each patient may designate up to two caregivers. Last reviewed 2026-05-18. Informational only — not medical or legal advice.
What are Georgia medical possession limits?
Registered patients may possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low-THC oil under their state Low-THC Oil Patient Registry ID card per O.C.G.A. §16-12-200 et seq., the Hope Act. THC content is capped at 5% by weight, making Georgia's allowance one of the most restrictive in the country. Approved product forms are oils, tinctures, transdermal patches, lotions, and capsules; smokable flower and traditional edibles are prohibited under Georgia law. Home cultivation is also prohibited, so the 20 fluid ounce cap applies to dispensary-purchased and on-hand inventory combined. The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission regulates dispensary licensing and product testing. SB 220 of 2026 is reported to expand qualifying conditions and authorize vaporization for selected patients. Designated caregivers may purchase and possess product on behalf of registered patients. Last reviewed 2026-05-18. Informational only — not medical or legal advice.
Can Georgia patients grow cannabis at home?
No. Home cultivation is prohibited under Georgia law for all patients and adults. All low-THC oil must be purchased from a state-licensed dispensary regulated by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission. The first two dispensaries — Trulieve Georgia in Marietta and Botanical Sciences in Macon — opened to registered patients on April 28, 2023, more than eight years after the Hope Act (O.C.G.A. §16-12-200) was first signed in 2015. Unauthorized cultivation carries felony charges under O.C.G.A. §16-13-30 with penalties scaling by plant count, including a one-year mandatory minimum for any felony cannabis conviction. Additional Class 1 (cultivation plus processing) and Class 2 (independent processing) dispensary licenses have been awarded with build-out continuing. Designated caregivers also cannot cultivate on behalf of patients. Last reviewed 2026-05-18. Informational only — not medical or legal advice.
Does Georgia accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards?
No. Georgia does not provide medical-program reciprocity under O.C.G.A. §16-12-200 et seq., the Hope Act. Out-of-state medical cards are not recognized at Georgia Low-THC Oil dispensaries, do not unlock the 20 fluid ounce possession allowance available to in-state registered patients, and provide no affirmative defense to state cannabis charges. Visiting medical patients from other states have no legal protection in Georgia and remain subject to state misdemeanor (less than 1 ounce) and felony (more than 1 ounce) penalties under O.C.G.A. §§16-13-2 and 16-13-30. Adult-use cannabis also remains illegal statewide so there is no dual-track adult-use option for visitors. Out-of-state cards do not transfer when a patient establishes Georgia residency — a new Georgia-licensed physician certification is required for one of the program's narrowly enumerated qualifying conditions. Last reviewed 2026-05-18. Informational only — not medical or legal advice.
How do I get a Georgia low-THC oil card?
Schedule a visit with a Georgia-licensed physician willing to certify one of the qualifying conditions under O.C.G.A. §16-12-201. The physician must establish a bona fide patient-physician relationship and submit a written certification to the Department of Public Health Low-THC Oil Patient Registry. The patient then pays the $25 registry card fee (two-year card validity) and is issued a registry ID card. With the card, the patient may purchase low-THC oil — capped at 5% THC by weight and 20 fluid ounces total — from any state-licensed dispensary regulated by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission. The Department of Public Health maintains the program directory at gmcc.georgia.gov. Caregivers must be 21 or older or a parent of a minor patient, and must register through the same Department of Public Health process. Last reviewed 2026-05-18. Informational only — not medical or legal advice.
Will recreational cannabis be legal in Georgia in 2026?
No. Georgia has not advanced an adult-use cannabis legalization bill to passage. HB 1248 would have legalized adult-use in the 2026 session but died in committee, continuing a pattern of failed reform bills in recent sessions. Georgia does not have a citizen-initiated ballot process for statutory or constitutional amendments — any change must originate in the legislature. Governor Brian Kemp has not publicly supported broader cannabis reform. The existing Low-THC Oil Patient Registry under the Hope Act (O.C.G.A. §§16-12-200 to 16-12-211) remains the only state-authorized cannabis access pathway, and SB 220 of 2026 is reported to expand qualifying conditions and authorize vaporization for selected patients within that medical framework — not to legalize adult-use. Future broader legalization would require a comprehensive bill clearing both chambers and the Governor's signature. Informational only; not legal advice.
Which Georgia cities have decriminalized cannabis possession?
Several Georgia municipalities have passed local civil-fine ordinances that reduce penalties for small-amount possession without overriding state law. The City of Atlanta (2017) imposes a civil fine of up to $75 for possession of one ounce or less with no jail time. The City of Savannah (2018) imposes a civil fine of up to $150. Athens-Clarke County (2022) operates a civil-citation program. Other Georgia jurisdictions have considered similar ordinances. These programs do not change state law: possession of less than one ounce remains a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. §16-13-2 (up to 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine), and possession of more than one ounce remains a felony under §16-13-30. Georgia State Patrol, county sheriffs outside the participating jurisdictions, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are not bound by local civil-fine programs and may charge under state law. Verify the current ordinance with the local police department. Informational only; not legal advice.
Can I go to jail for smoking weed in Georgia?
Yes. Georgia prosecutes cannabis possession under O.C.G.A. §16-13-2 (small amounts) and §16-13-30 (larger amounts and intent-to-distribute) as a tiered criminal offense. Possession of less than one ounce is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Possession of more than one ounce is a felony punishable by 1 to 10 years in prison and a $5,000 fine with a one-year mandatory minimum. Possession with intent to distribute, sale, or manufacture escalates through felony tiers: 10 to 2,000 pounds is 5 to 30 years with a 5-year minimum and $100,000 fine. Sale within 1,000 feet of a school, park, or public housing project carries an enhanced 5 to 40 year felony with $40,000 fine. Concentrate or hashish is a felony at any amount. Atlanta, Savannah, and Athens-Clarke County civil-fine ordinances may reduce arrest exposure within those jurisdictions only. Informational only; not legal advice.
Are there cannabis dispensaries in Georgia?
Yes, but they sell only low-THC oil to registered medical patients. Georgia has state-licensed Low-THC Oil dispensaries operating under the Hope Act. The first two dispensaries — Trulieve Georgia in Marietta and Botanical Sciences in Macon — opened to registered patients on April 28, 2023. Additional Class 1 (cultivation plus processing) and Class 2 (independent processing) licenses have been awarded by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, with build-out continuing. Patients must hold a Low-THC Oil Patient Registry ID card issued by the Department of Public Health to purchase. Product is capped at 5 percent THC by weight and possession limit is 20 fluid ounces. Smokable flower, edibles, and recreational sales are prohibited statewide. Georgia has no recreational dispensaries because adult-use cannabis remains illegal under state law. Informational only; not legal advice.
Are hemp products like delta-8 and THCA legal in Georgia?
Hemp-derived products are lawful in Georgia under the Georgia Hemp Farming Program, but Senate Bill 220 of 2024 (effective October 2024) significantly tightened the framework. SB 220 requires Georgia Department of Agriculture licensing for consumable hemp retailers, imposes packaging restrictions, requires child-resistant containers, mandates lab testing, and caps total THC (including THCA converted to delta-9 in heating) to maintain hemp classification. Some delta-8 THC and high-THCA products that were previously sold legally are now restricted under the new total-THC math. Adult purchase of consumable hemp products requires age 21 or older under SB 220. Cannabis-derived products with any meaningful delta-9 THC remain illegal under O.C.G.A. §16-13-2 and §16-13-30 and are prosecuted as cannabis possession. Buying any product that lab-tests above the post-SB-220 total-THC threshold exposes the buyer to cannabis penalties. Informational only; not legal advice.
Sources
- O.C.G.A. § 16-12-200 et seq.: Low-THC Oil / Hope Actaccessed May 15, 2026
- Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commissionaccessed May 15, 2026
- NORML: Georgia Laws & Penaltiesaccessed May 15, 2026
- O.C.G.A. §16-13-2: Possession of marijuana (less than 1 oz)accessed May 17, 2026
- O.C.G.A. §16-13-30: Sale, possession with intent, manufacture; penalty scheduleaccessed May 17, 2026
- Georgia General Assembly bill trackeraccessed May 17, 2026
- City of Atlanta — Cannabis Civil-Fine Ordinance (2017)accessed May 17, 2026
- City of Savannah — Cannabis Civil-Fine Ordinance (2018)accessed May 17, 2026
- Athens-Clarke County — Civil-Citation Program (2022)accessed May 17, 2026