Georgia Cannabis Laws

Last verified November 13, 2026. Facts come from the agency or source linked on this page. Where sources conflict or we could not confirm something, we say so.

• Georgia's Medical Cannabis Registry
• Qualifying Conditions and Caregivers
• Possession Penalties Without a Card
• Open a Dispensary
• Timeline
• FAQ
• Related Reading

Georgia at a Glance

Georgia's Medical Cannabis Registry

Only a Georgia-licensed physician whose principal place of practice is in Georgia can certify a patient. Certification is required before anyone can legally obtain medical cannabis, and the Department of Public Health issues the cards. The page we read did not describe the application steps or the card expiration, so call the program at (770) 909-2765, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM. A card status tool is also available on the Department's page.

A banner on the Department's page says the card fee increases to $75 effective 12:01 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2026. Our short explainer covers what the change means: Georgia Medical Cannabis Card Fee Rises to $75.

Qualifying Conditions and Caregivers

The Department lists ALS, Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder (adults) or severe autism (minors), most cancers (not skin cancer unless metastatic), epidermolysis bullosa, hospice enrollment, stage III HIV, inflammatory bowel disease, intractable pain, lupus, mitochondrial disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, severe peripheral neuropathy, PTSD from trauma (adults), seizure disorders, sickle cell disease and Tourette's syndrome.

• A caregiver can be a parent or guardian of a minor patient, an adult the patient designates, or a health care institution that agrees to allow medical cannabis on its premises.
• Certified patients and caregivers may legally possess up to 12,000 mg of THC.
• Trackers list Senate Bill 220 as enacted, effective July 1, 2026. It upgrades the low-THC program to a full medical program, allows vaporization and replaces the old 5 percent THC cap with the 12,000 mg limit. The Department's page does not mention SB 220, so confirm details with the agency.

Possession Penalties Without a Card

For people without certification, Georgia treats marijuana possession as a crime.

• One ounce or less: a misdemeanor under O.C.G.A. 16-13-2, with up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or public works, or a combination.
• More than one ounce: a felony under O.C.G.A. 16-13-30.
• First offenders: may be placed on probation without an adjudication of guilt, and successful completion leads to discharge and dismissal. This can happen only once per person.
• Courts treat an ounce as an avoirdupois ounce, about 28.35 grams.

This is a summary of statute text, not legal advice. Talk to a Georgia attorney if you face a charge.

Opening a Dispensary in Georgia

Windows only, 22 licenses active Regulator: Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission

Georgia licenses medical cannabis dispensing through the Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, and applications are only accepted during windows the Commission announces. The Commission's fee schedule lists a $5,000 dispensing application fee, license fees of $15,000 to $30,000 by county tier, annual renewal of $25,000 to $40,000 by tier, and a $1,000 change fee for name, owner or agent changes. A source citing the Commission's list says 22 dispensing licenses were active as of Sept. 30, 2026. We did not find a fee cap.

What to Plan For

• Applications open only during announced windows.
• License fees depend on the county tier of your location.
• One older consultant article says fees were not set yet. The Commission's fee schedule is the current source.

Fees are only part of the cost. Federal law still applies to cannabis businesses, so talk to a cannabis attorney and an accountant before you commit money. Fee figures come from the sources below and change, so confirm them with the regulator. Related reading: CannaWize Business Desk, 280E and Schedule III for Cannabis Businesses, Cannabis Banking Costs and the GAO Report, Licensing Lawsuits and State Markets.

Business sources:

• Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission: Fee Schedule
• Georgia Department of Public Health: Medical Cannabis Patient Registry

How Georgia Compares

Georgia Cannabis Timeline

1. July 1, 2026SB 220 and SB 395 take effect per trackers, upgrading the low-THC program and changing registry disclosures.
2. Sept. 30, 2026The Commission's license list shows 22 active dispensing licenses, per one source.
3. Dec. 5, 2026The Department of Public Health card fee increases to $75 at 12:01 a.m.

Georgia Cannabis Bills

• Enacted SB 220: Upgrades the low-THC program to a full medical program. Effective July 1, 2026.
• Enacted SB 395: Low THC Oil Patient Registry disclosures. Effective July 1, 2026.
• Dead HB 1248: Legalize possession and home grow.
• Dead SB 558: Decriminalize up to 3 ounces.
• Dead HB 440: Comprehensive medical program.

See every state in the cannabis bill tracker.

Frequently Asked Questions About Georgia Cannabis Laws

Related Reading

• Georgia Medical Cannabis Card Fee Rises to $75
• Cannabis Laws by State: Compare 20 States
• Medical Marijuana Card Cost by State
• Medical Marijuana Card Renewal Rules by State
• Marijuana Possession Limits by State
• How to Open a Dispensary: License Costs by State
• Cannabis Bills to Watch in 2027
• Cannabis Policy Tracker
• Medical Marijuana Dispensaries by State

Nearby States

Sources

• Georgia Department of Public Health: Medical Cannabis Patient Registry
• Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission: Fee Schedule
• Georgia Code 16-13-2 (Justia)
• Georgia Code 16-13-30 (Justia)
• Marijuana Policy Project: 2026 Cannabis Policy Reform Legislation

Last verified November 13, 2026. Laws and fees change, and where sources disagree we say so above. Educational only, not medical or legal advice.