In 2019, Georgia passed new legislation regarding the production, manufacturing and dispensing of medical marijuana low-THC oil (CBD oil with less than 5% THC) to certain individuals with medical conditions (listed below). Low-THC oil is intended for medicinal use to reduce the negative side effects of their condition/disease and aids in pain management or discomfort to those in hospice. Although CBD and THC are derived from the same plant, the two compounds affect the body’s endocannabinoid system differently. THC is the primary psychoactive compound in Cannabis. CBD, on the other hand, is a nonpsychoactive compound that can interfere with the binding of THC to the cannabinoid 1 receptors in the brain.  Patients ingesting this low-TCH, CBD product oil, do not get high feeling. Despite Gov. Brian Kemp’s Bill, possession and sale of marijuana remain illegal in the state of Georgia. Marijuana is regulated under the state’s Georgia Controlled Substance Act which is regulated under Federal law, the Controlled Substance Act. 

The Controlled Substance Act classifies controlled substances into 5 schedules based on three factors: the potential for abuse, the potential for dependence/addiction, and the acceptance of the drug’s use for medical purposes. Due to its high potential for abuse and the high likelihood of dependency, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I drug. Recreational marijuana use also remains illegal in GA. For more information on substance schedules, Schedule I or II or Schedule III, IV or V. Read our Georgia Controlled Substances Schedule page.

This southern state maintains its position against marijuana possession by enforcing strict penalties for any violation of drug laws.  Penalties may include: drug counseling, submitting to random drug screens, fines, community service and jail time. Driving under the influence of drugs (including marijuana) has penalties more severe than those for driving under the influence of alcohol. Most offenses related to marijuana are charged as felonies. The type of charge is based on the amount, any amount weighing more than one ounce is classified as a felony. Cannabis edibles that contain THC are classified as felony charges, regardless of the amount of THC found in the product. The following information will answer many commonly asked questions like: is weed legal in Georgia? What are drug possession laws in GA? Is medical marijuana decriminalized?  

Weed Laws in GA

Georgia’s state laws for possession, sale, delivery or cultivation, penalties for conviction are determined by the amount of marijuana are as follows: 

Possession penalties for marijuana-related offenses:

• possession of one ounce (oz) (for personal use) or less is charged as a misdemeanor, misdemeanors are punishable by one year in jail and fines up to $1,000,
• possession of any amount over an ounce (oz), but less than ten (10) pounds (lbs) is a felony, felony possession charges are punishable by one to 10 years in prison and a maximum $5,000 fine, each subsequent charge carries harsher penalties; and
• any amount for possession over ten (10) pounds (lbs) is considered trafficking charges.

Sale and/or Trafficking penalties for marijuana-related offenses:

• sale or trafficking of ten (10) lbs. or less is punishable with a minimum of 1 to ten (10) years in prison with fines of up to $5,000,
• sale or trafficking of ten (10) to 2,000 lbs. is punishable by a minimum of 5 years to (no more than) 30 years served in prison with fines of up to $100,000,
• sale or trafficking of 2,000 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. is punishable by a minimum of 7 years to (no more than) 30 years in prison with fines of up to $250,000; and
• sale or trafficking over 10,000 lbs. is punishable with a minimum of 15 years to (no more than) 30 years in prison with fines up to $1,000,000.

Regardless of the amount, if you are charged with and convicted of possession, sale, delivery or cultivation within 1,000 feet of a school or park, you can face five to 40 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.

Is Medical Marijuana Legal in GA?

The only type of medical marijuana that legislation passed in Georgia is cannabis oil, which contains less than 5% TCH is called cannabidiol (CBD) oil. Any other “traditional” marijuana products including marijuana plants/flowers remain ILLEGAL in GA.  To legally possess and use this cannabis product, you (the patient or caregiver) need to register for an identification card on Georgia’s Department of Public Health’s website. Once this card is obtained, you will be able to purchase less than 20 ounces of this low THC oil. The following list contains a few of the diseases or conditions that qualify for medical marijuana in Georgia (CBD oil):

• Cancer,
• Parkinson’s disease (severe cases or end stages),
• Seizures related to Epilepsy, including Dravet syndrome,
• Crohn’s disease
• Tourette’s syndrome; and
• Alzheimer’s disease 

Approval for the Low THC Oil Registry card is difficult, and even though Georgia’s marijuana laws have not significantly changed, some major cities or counties in Georgia have decriminalized marijuana, including Atlanta, Chamblee, Clarkston, Forest Park, Fulton County, and Savannah. These areas decriminalized this seemingly harmless, natural drug by-passing local laws that reduce penalties for possession less than an ounce of marijuana. 

First Offense Misdemeanor Possession Charge, Is There a Defense for First Time Offenders?

Yes, there is a defense for first-time offenders in GA. If your first criminal offense involves a drug charge, Georgia offers special sentencing, called a Conditional Discharge. However, certain requirements must be met to be eligible for a Conditional Discharge. In addition to having no prior charges, the crime cannot be violent nor serious. If your case meets these requirements, the judge can then decide whether the First Time Offender Act can apply.

If the criminal act is a first-time offense misdemeanor for possession of marijuana less than an ounce, and there were no additional violent charges, you may be eligible for a conditional discharge. If the defendant pleads guilty to the possession charge and the Judge grants the conditional discharge, the defendant will need to complete the terms including the rehabilitation or treatment program(s). Upon completion, the conviction will be removed from the defendant’s record. Failure to comply with the terms or failure to complete the program(s) may result in the Defendant serving the maximum jail sentence. 

Defense in Your Marijuana Drug Crimes Case

Because the marijuana drug laws in the state of GA are so strict, you need an attorney near me that has expertise in drug crimes. Our lawyers have represented hundreds of clients in drug cases. If you or a loved one is facing any charges related to marijuana, or any other controlled substances, including prescription drugs it is extremely important that you work with an experienced drug crimes defense lawyer. Drug offenses are punished harshly in Georgia. Contact our Atlanta, GA. law office Kohn & Yager, LLC. for your FREE consultation. Call us NOW at (404)567-5515 to speak with one of our criminal lawyers to help alleviate the detrimental effects these charges have on your life. You need an aggressive advocate on your side who knows GA drug laws, how to fight a possession charge and who will work to get you the best possible result in your case. We are here to help, our Atlanta attorneys are available 24/7. 

Check out Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Article on this controversial topic: Click Here

To read the 2019-2020 Georgia’s Hope Act – HB 324, click here Related Pages:  GA Drugged Driving Charges Georgia Drug Crime: Distribution  Gwinnett County Criminal Defense Lawyers DISCLAIMER AND PRIVACY POLICY The information you obtain at this web site, related videos, image resources, Facebook, Twitter or other social media content, or blog postings is not, nor is it intended to be or provide, legal advice from a Georgia lawyer. This page is designed to help you find legal information, learn the basics about any criminal offense or court case in the state of Georgia, and then search for attorneys near me for your representation in GA. You are well-advised to consult an attorney for legal advice regarding your individual situation, and to obtain targeting help from an experienced lawyer in the community. Our Georgia lawyers invite you to peruse our site for answers to FAQs, charts, graphics and explanation of legal terms about Georgia laws. Then, call today about our legal services.  Our attorneys in Atlanta can interview you in person, or remotely via cell phone video conference or computer laptop or desktop interview. Our law group welcomes your email communication, chat responses, phone calls, letters and electronic mail, so that we can try to be of service in the areas of criminal defense when you contact us.   Our law office maintains a strict privacy policy, and (if you don’t retain one of our Georgia attorneys) our law firm staff will shred your paperwork. Contacting us (through any communication method) does not create an attorney-client relationship until a fee agreement is signed and you hire a legal professional with our legal team. Please do not send any confidential information to our GA attorneys through this website portal until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established and all terms and conditions or our retainer contract are agreed upon. If needed, clients may request a payment plan with our criminal justice attorney for payment of your legal fees. Copyright 2020, by William C. Head. All rights reserved.