Legal Disclaimer: This information reflects Georgia cannabis law as of May 2026 and is for educational purposes only.
It is not legal advice. Laws and regulations change — always verify current rules with the
Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission
or a qualified attorney. Cannabis remains illegal under federal law.
Last verified: May 2026
Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission (GMCC)
- Website: gmcc.ga.gov
- Chair: Sid Johnson
- Executive Director: Andrew Turnage
- Functions: Production and dispensary licensing under HB 324 / Georgia’s Hope Act of 2019. License verification: gmcc.ga.gov/licensing/verify-a-license.
- Administratively attached to: Office of Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), Low-THC Oil Unit
- Website: dph.georgia.gov/low-thc-oil-registry
- Phone: (770) 909-2765
- Email: THCRegistry@dph.ga.gov
- Functions: Patient registry, caregiver registration, card issuance under Haleigh’s Hope Act (HB 1, 2015) and O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18.
Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA), Hemp Program
- Website: agr.georgia.gov/hemp-program
- Commissioner: Tyler Harper
- Functions: Administers HB 213 / SB 494 hemp licensing for growers, processors, manufacturers, and retailers.
Georgia Composite Medical Board
- Functions: Physician registration and discipline. Certifying physicians for the Low-THC Oil Patient Registry must be licensed MDs or DOs in good standing with the Composite Medical Board.
Georgia Board of Pharmacy
- Functions: Administers pharmacy dispensing licenses for medical cannabis under HB 324’s pharmacy-pilot framework. ~120 partner pharmacies signed up since October 2024.
The Underlying Statutes
Constitutional and State Statute Citations
- O.C.G.A. § 16-12-190 et seq. (Haleigh’s Hope Act, 2015) — the medical-immunity carve-out.
- O.C.G.A. § 16-12-200 et seq. (Georgia’s Hope Act, HB 324, 2019) — the in-state-production framework.
- O.C.G.A. § 16-12-220 — confidentiality provision (cert denied by Georgia Supreme Court October 11, 2023).
- O.C.G.A. § 16-12-231 — certifying-physician immunity.
- O.C.G.A. § 16-12-241 — hemp 21+ age restriction (added by SB 494 of 2024).
- O.C.G.A. § 31-2A-18 — DPH Low-THC Oil Patient Registry.
- O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2(b) — sub-ounce misdemeanor.
- O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30(j) — felony possession + manufacture.
- O.C.G.A. § 16-13-31(c) — trafficking thresholds.
- O.C.G.A. §§ 16-13-32.2 to 32.6 — paraphernalia + drug-free school zones.
- O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391 — DUI.
- O.C.G.A. § 40-5-75 — mandatory license suspension on cannabis convictions.
- O.C.G.A. § 2-23-1 et seq. (Georgia Hemp Farming Act, HB 213, 2019; SB 494, 2024) — hemp framework.
- O.C.G.A. § 9-16-1 et seq. — civil asset forfeiture.
Patient Resources
- Apply for Low-THC Oil Patient Card — dph.georgia.gov/low-thc-oil-registry/patients-and-caregivers.
- Find Licensed Dispensary — gmcc.ga.gov/licensing/verify-a-license.
- Find Participating Pharmacy — Georgia Department of Community Health pharmacy directory; filter for "Low THC Pharmacy."
- Check Card Status — sendss.state.ga.us/ords/sendss/!thc.showstatus.
Cross-Border State Resources
- Florida Office of Medical Marijuana Use: knowthefactsmmj.com (closest robust medical program for Georgians).
- Alabama Medical Cannabis Commission: amcc.alabama.gov ⚠︐ (program launching).
- Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Cannabis Control Board (Cherokee, NC) — for the Great Smoky Cannabis Co. dispensary.
Federal Resources
- U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): dea.gov. Cannabis remains a Schedule I controlled substance under federal law.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): 2024 recommendation to reschedule cannabis to Schedule III pending DEA finalization.
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org