Georgia and marijuana

Georgia has been at the center of the news lately. It seems that all media organizations and both political parties are constantly talking about the Peach State. And when it comes to a public trial, the focus shifts even more to the state. But what about Georgia and marijuana?

The state of Georgia has seen some small changes in cannabis laws in recent years, although strict regulations still apply. This is despite the fact that more than two in three Americans (68%) support legalizing marijuana. Only 10% of the country think it should be totally illegal. According to a 2020 Atlanta Journal Constitution poll, at least 53% of state residents believe cannabis should be perfectly legal, and even more so when it comes to medical marijuana.

On his last campaign website for governor, Kemp said he wasn’t “in the pro-recreational marijuana camp.” His attitude constitutes an obstacle to public will.

Photo by Chelsea Gates via Unsplash

In April 2015, low-THC (high in cannabidiol, or CBD) cannabis oil was legalized in the state for medical use under HB 1, the Haleigh’s Hope Act. Medical cannabis has existed in Georgia since then, but in order to obtain a medical marijuana (low THC oil) card, you must be diagnosed with one of the following conditions:

• Cancer when diagnosis is terminal or treatment results in associated wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis when diagnosis is severe or end-stage
• Seizure disorders associated with a diagnosis of epilepsy or traumatic head injury
• Multiple sclerosis when diagnosis is severe or end-stage

In 2019, Governor Brian Kemp signed legislation allowing a limited number of private companies to manufacture cannabis in Georgia. Known as Georgia’s Hope Act, the law allows the use of low-THC products for medicinal purposes. Under this law, only six producers are allowed to grow marijuana

RELATED: Science says medical marijuana improves quality of life

Georgia voters on Tuesday sent a marijuana message to state legislators, agreeing to a voting measure expressing their support for the legalization of adult-use cannabis. The leadership of the state’s Democratic Party placed nine non-binding advisory questions on the primary ballot to inform the legislature on how Georgians stand on various issues, including legalization.

RELATED: Science tells us exactly how marijuana makes us happy

In 2023, several bills to decriminalize adult possession of small amounts of cannabis were considered, but none of them made it through the legislative process.

Currently, possession of an ounce or less of cannabis in Georgia carries a maximum penalty of up to one year in prison. More than 40,000 Georgians are arrested for marijuana possession every year

Hopefully, the national and global attention the Peach State is getting will lead to a rethink in Georgia and marijuana laws. And as they are the focus of the news, perhaps there will be a reassessment of Georgia and marijuana as they will need rest!