Is weed legal in Atlanta? Everything to know

Atlanta’s cannabis scene is more vibrant than ever, and dispensaries are popping up throughout the city. But, that doesn’t mean that the city is completely cannabis-friendly. It’s important to be up to date on the ever-changing weed laws in Atlanta, and know where you can and cannot buy cannabis.

Key takeaways

Legal age: You must be 18 or over to access medical marijuana at a dispensary in Atlanta
Purchase limits: Medical patients may purchase up to 20 fl oz of low-THC cannabis oil
Consumption rules: High-THC products may not be consumed in Georgia, including marijuana flower
Approved dispensaries: Make sure that you purchase your cannabis from an approved dispensary, as this is the only way to do so safe and legally

Georgia cannabis laws

Recreational cannabis is not legal in Georgia. Medical cannabis is legal as of 2019, with the passing of Georgia’s Hope Act (HB 324), although the state only allows qualifying medical patients to access low-THC, high-CBD oil, topicals, and capsules. Georgia law defines “low THC” as no more than 5% per dry weight. This means that highly psychoactive cannabis products are prohibited for both medical and recreational users, as are any cannabis edibles or inhalable products, like flower, vaporizers, or concentrates.

In 2019, Governor Brian Kemp established the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission. The commission determined that approved medical patients may only purchase products from one of two companies: Trulieve and Botanical Sciences.

Under Georgia law, being caught with possession of up to an ounce of marijuana flower, even as a medical card holder, can lead to $1,000 in fines, and up to a year in prison. Penalties are harsher for those with higher possession amounts.

Cannabis cultivation is illegal, which means that both recreational and medical users cannot grow cannabis.

Georgia law also prohibited sales of hemp products to those under 21 years of age in 2024. Further, edible hemp products are now banned across the state.

Currently, any attempts to legalize recreational cannabis have not gotten very far in the state. Further, there are no present attempts to expand the state’s medical marijuana program to include products containing higher levels of THC.

What are cannabis laws in Atlanta?

Atlanta’s city council decriminalized cannabis in October of 2017. As a result, possession of up to an ounce is punishable by a $75 fine, without any jail time. Higher possession amounts and repeat offenses can still lead to harsher penalties, including higher fines and time in jail.

Get your medical card in Atlanta

How to get medical marijuana in Atlanta

In order to purchase low-THC CBD oil in Atlanta, you need to apply for a medical marijuana card through the state’s department of public health. And, to apply, you need to acquire a recommendation from a licensed physician.

Finding a doctor

To qualify for medical cannabis in Atlanta, you need to find a physician who can diagnose you with one of the state’s qualifying conditions and make a recommendation. You can search for doctors in your neighborhood, or you can opt for a telehealth service like Leafwell that will provide you with a licensed physician who can evaluate you and make a recommendation online. These services may be more convenient for those who want to streamline the process of obtaining a medical card without leaving their home.

Once your doctor provides you with your recommendation document, you can apply for a Georgia medical card through the state’s Low THC Oil Registry website. In addition to a doctor’s recommendation, you’ll need to provide a state-issued photo ID. Keep in mind that you can also apply as a caregiver on behalf of a minor with a qualifying condition. It can take up to 15 business days to receive your card.

Qualifying conditions

To qualify for medical cannabis in Georgia, you must be diagnosed by a licensed physician with at least one of the conditions below:

AIDS
Alzheimer’s Disease
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Autism spectrum disorder (must be severe if patient is under 18)
Cancer (end-stage or when treatment produces related wasting illness or nausea and vomiting)
Crohn’s Disease

Epidermolysis bullosa
Intractable pain
Mitochondrial Disease
Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson’s Disease
Peripheral neuropathy
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (must be at least 18 years old)
Seizure disorders (including those caused by epilepsy and head trauma)
Sickle Cell Disease
Tourette Syndrome
Admittance into a hospice program, either inpatient or outpatient

Can an out-of-state medical marijuana patient purchase medical cannabis in Atlanta?

Georgia cannabis laws allow medical marijuana card holders that have been in the state for less than 45 days to purchase medical cannabis, but only if their state also permits only low THC oils.

Benefits of getting medical cannabis in Atlanta

The only way to legally access cannabis is through Georgia’s medical marijuana program. While only low THC products are allowed for medical patients, they can be highly effective at offering relief to those with certain medical conditions.

Without a medical card, Atlanta residents caught possessing cannabis can face penalties including fines and/or jail time, depending on the amount they possess.

Dispensaries in Atlanta

Realm Dispensary

1536 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd SW, Atlanta, GA 30310

Botanical Sciences

3927 Buford Hwy, Atlanta, GA 30345

Where to consume cannabis in Atlanta

State-approved medical cannabis products can be consumed anywhere at any time. Because the state forbids sales of inhalable cannabis, you may not smoke or vaporize marijuana anywhere in the state.

Tips for buying cannabis in Atlanta

Purchase from licensed dispensaries: Be sure to only buy your cannabis products from a state-licensed medical dispensary, as purchasing elsewhere puts you at risk of unsafe or low-quality products, as well as products that are prohibited under state law.
Experiment with product types: With a Georgia medical card, you can explore marijuana tinctures, capsules, and topicals. Don’t be afraid to experiment with all of the above to find which product best suits your needs.
Get expert guidance: For medical cannabis beginners, experts can be incredibly helpful. Talk to the staff at your local dispensary, or set up an appointment with a Leafwell telehealth professional to learn more about using cannabis to address your health concerns.
Compare prices: Compare prices on different products, and between different dispensaries, to make sure that you’re getting a good deal.
Check up on local laws: Weed laws in both Atlanta and Georgia can change at any time, and by staying up to date, you can make sure that you’re buying and consuming cannabis legally.
Bring your documentation: To make purchases at a dispensary, you must have your state-issued ID and medical card with you.

Frequently asked questions

What are Georgia marijuana laws?

Under Georgia marijuana law, recreational cannabis is illegal. Medical cannabis is legal to qualifying patients, but only in the form of low-THC, high-CBD oils, topicals, and capsules.

According to Georgia law, “Low THC Oil is an oil that contains no more than 5 percent by weight of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and an amount of cannabinol equal to or greater than the amount of THC.”