Cannabis Legalization and Regulation in Georgia
Georgia has not legalized adult-use cannabis. Recreational possession, sale, and cultivation remain illegal, and criminal penalties apply. Some cities, including Atlanta and Savannah, have adopted local ordinances to decriminalize possession of small amounts, reducing penalties to civil fines, but statewide prohibition is still in effect.
Medical cannabis is legal in a limited form under the state’s Low THC Oil Registry, established in 2015. Registered patients with qualifying conditions may legally possess up to 20 fluid ounces of cannabis oil containing no more than 5% THC. Smoking, vaporizing raw flower, or cultivating plants at home is prohibited. In 2019, the state expanded the law to allow licensed production and dispensing of low-THC oil, and in 2023 the first dispensaries opened, giving patients in-state access to regulated products for the first time.
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission regulates the medical program, overseeing licensing for production, processing, and dispensing facilities. Licensed operators are subject to strict security, testing, packaging, and labeling requirements.
Hemp cultivation and hemp-derived CBD products are legal in Georgia if they contain no more than 0.3% THC. Intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta-8 THC, face restrictions and are subject to enforcement actions when sold outside regulated channels.
For cannabis operators, Georgia represents a highly restricted market centered only on low-THC medical oil. Licensed companies must maintain full compliance documentation, including license records, ownership disclosures, tax IDs, financial statements, and operating agreements. Because most transactions are cash-based, businesses must implement secure cash-handling systems, including armored transport, reconciled deposits, AML/BSA monitoring, and audit-ready accounting. Proper reporting of sales and excise taxes is essential to maintain banking and financial service relationships.
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission regulates the state program. For official licensing resources, compliance requirements, and program updates, visit:
https://www.gmcc.georgia.gov
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