Georgia Cannabis Legalization

A measure to allow medical cannabis oil up to 5% THC passed the Georgia House in February 2015. On April 16, 2015, the low-THC cannabis oil (rich in CBD) was legalized for medical use in the state under HB 1, the Haleigh’s Hope Act. The bill allowed possession of the oil for eight qualifying medical conditions but did not provide for cultivation or distribution within the state. The legislature later expanded the law to include more medical conditions:

• In 2017, SB 16 added six more conditions.
• In 2018, HB 65 added intractable pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

On April 17, 2019, legislation was finally approved (House Bill 324, the Georgia’s Hope Act) to allow in-state cultivation of cannabis and sale of the low-THC medical cannabis oils (with up to 5% THC) to patients within Georgia. Under the 2019 Georgia’s Hope Act, six producers are allowed to grow medical cannabis in the state, as well as two universities. Pharmacies can sell medical cannabis preparations, and regulators can authorize private dispensaries.

In 2021, SB 195 expanded the list of available products beyond oils to include tinctures, transdermal patches, lotions, and capsules, but excluded other edible forms.

Georgia Cannabis Market: Stats and Projections

The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (Commission) has been accepting applications for producers since the end of 2020 and has received 69 applications.

In spring 2023, Georgia regulators issued first testing laboratory license and two Class 1 licenses to grow medical cannabis in 100,000-square-foot indoor facilities, manufacture and sell low-THC cannabis oil. The businesses are allowed to open up to five dispensaries.

In autumn 2023, the Commission unanimously granted provisional Class 2 licenses to four more companies to grow medical cannabis in 50,000-square-foot indoor facilities for producing low-THC cannabis oil.

Since the state first approved licenses, dispensaries have opened up in or near major metro areas: Atlanta, Marietta, Newnan, Stockbridge, Macon, Evans and Savannah. In addition, Georgia is set to be the first state to allow patients to buy low-THC products at pharmacies.

As of December 2023, over 13,400 patients have signed up for the program.

Georgia Cannabis Market Infographics

Cannabis Testing Laboratory Business Plan Sample, Georgia

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Georgia Hemp Industry