If you’re looking to get high legally, it’s important to know how your state is regulating weed. Learn about what’s legal, what’s not and what the consequences are for those who use cannabis.
Marijuana is federally illegal, but Georgia is one of just a few states that allow medical marijuana patients to carry low-THC cannabis oil. It’s a great way for those who are suffering from seizures, cancer or Parkinson’s disease to get the medicine they need.
Legalization
While the state has a modest medical marijuana program, it remains illegal for recreational use. Possession of more than one ounce of weed is a felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine.
Georgia has carved out a narrow exception to its cannabis laws, creating a limited medical marijuana program for patients with qualifying conditions such as cancer or hospice care. The Department of Public Health and the Georgia Composite Medical Board oversee the patient registry.
The program allows eligible patients to possess up to 20 fluid ounces of low-THC oil with a doctor’s recommendation. This product is currently available only at dispensaries, which have been able to acquire licenses from the state.
Although marijuana remains illegal in Georgia, a recent poll shows that attitudes about the drug have changed substantially. About 53% of respondents said they believe it should be legal for adults to use.
Decriminalization
Until recently, the possession of even a small amount of marijuana could mean jail time in Atlanta. But now, thanks to a new city ordinance, that’s no longer the case.
Rather than face potential jail time, anyone caught with less than an ounce of weed will receive a ticket for $75. And if the ticket is paid online, there’s no need for a court date or jail time.
Decriminalization of low-level marijuana possession is key to reducing the number of arrests and charges that result in incarceration in Georgia’s jails. The vast majority of those arrests are for possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Medical Marijuana
The state of Georgia does not recognize marijuana for recreational purposes, but it has carved out a narrow exception for medical marijuana. It allows patients with certain illnesses to possess cannabis oil with low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
In order to use medical marijuana, you must first get a doctor’s prescription and then submit two forms to the Georgia Department of Public Health to obtain a Low THC Registry Card. The card will allow you to legally possess up to 20 fluid ounces of oil derived from the marijuana plant.
Despite the medical marijuana law, many people in Georgia have not been able to purchase the medicine they need. They have either resorted to using it illegally or purchased it in other states.
However, those problems could be set to change soon. The state Access to Medical Cannabis Commission has voted unanimously to approve rules for inspections, distribution and testing of the product. This means two companies that were awarded licenses last September will be able to open their dispensaries as early as this spring.
Taxes
In most states, marijuana sales are subject to state and local taxes. These include a state tax, a county or city tax and an excise tax on the sale of cannabis.
The tax structure for cannabis is evolving, and some states are implementing novel tax strategies. Illinois, for example, imposes a tax based on weight, with more potent products being taxed at higher rates.
A few states have also imposed a tax on THC content, while others are phasing in taxes as they develop. These taxes, which are derived from the retail selling prices of weed, can have an impact on the amount of revenue generated from cannabis sales.
In Georgia, medical marijuana has been in the works since 2015, when state lawmakers allowed oils containing up to 5% THC for people with a narrow list of approved conditions. But some medical advocates have been pushing for tighter regulations to protect patients, especially young ones, from addiction and overdoses. A bill recently passed in the General Assembly would allow pharmacies to dispense low-THC oil. It also gives local governments more leeway on where dispensaries can open, allowing them to operate like alcohol vendors.
