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.

Whether you’re a resident or simply visiting, it’s important to stay up to date on the ever-changing weed laws in Atlanta if you plan to use cannabis.

Key takeaways

Legal age: You must be age 18 or over to access medical marijuana at a dispensary in Atlanta.
Purchase limits: Medical patients may purchase up to 20 fluid ounces of low-tetrahydrocannabinol (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. This is the only way to do so safely 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-cannabidiol (CBD) oil, topicals, and capsules.

Georgia law defines “low THC” as no more than 5% THC by 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 two companies: Trulieve and Botanical Sciences.

Under Georgia law, possessing 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. Edible hemp products are now banned across the state.

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, high-CBD oil in Atlanta, you’ll need to apply for a medical marijuana card through the state’s Department of Public Health.

To apply, you’ll need a recommendation from a licensed physician.

Finding a doctor

To qualify for medical cannabis in Atlanta, you’ll start by finding 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 area and book an appointment with them in person, or you can opt for a telehealth service like Leafwell that will connect you with a licensed physician who can evaluate you and make a recommendation online. Online services may be more convenient for those who want to streamline the process of getting a medical card.

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 that is end-stage or requires treatment that causes 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 to an inpatient or outpatient hospice program

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 in Atlanta 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 possessing cannabis can face penalties including fines and 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. Buying elsewhere puts you at risk of purchasing 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.
Get expert guidance: Speak with 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

Get answers to your FAQs about Georgia weed laws and consuming cannabis in Atlanta.

What are Georgia marijuana laws?

Under Georgia’s 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.”