Yes, but narrowly. The only legal form of medical marijuana as of October 2020 in Georgia is low THC oil. This is an oil that is used for medicinal purposes and has a THC concentration under 5%. Low THC oil is different than CBD oil you frequently see sold in stores.
The Georgia Low THC oil registry was created as a result of Haleigh’s Hope Act which was passed in 2015 and expanded in 2019 with the Georgia Hope Act. Since then, over 10,000 Georgians have turned to this type of alternative medicine for therapeutic relief.
To lawfully possess low THC oil as a form of medical marijuana, you must apply for a low THC card through the State of Georgia. The process is relatively simple, but you must medically qualify first.
Only patients who have the following medical conditions may be eligible to obtain THC Oil in Georgia legally:
- Cancer, if it is end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness or recalcitrant nausea and vomiting
- ALS, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage
- Seizure disorders, related to diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma-related head injuries
- Multiple sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end-stage
- Crohn’s disease
- Mitochondrial disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Sickle cell disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage
- Tourette’s syndrome, when such syndrome is diagnosed as severe
- Autism spectrum disorder (patients under 18 must be diagnosed with severe autism)
- Epidermolysis bullosa
- Alzheimer’s disease, when such disease is severe or end stage
- AIDS, when such syndrome is severe or end stage
- Peripheral neuropathy, when symptoms are severe or end stage
- Patient is in hospice program, either as inpatient or outpatient
- Intractable pain
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma for a patient who is at least 18 years of age
Source: Georgia Low THC Registry Page
If a patient qualifies under any of these diagnoses, they can schedule a visit with a physician-approved by Georgia to apply for a low THC oil card on behalf of the patient. Once a patient receives the card, they (and the patient’s caregiver) are protected from arrest while in possession of low THC oil. This card does not protect a Georgia citizen from arrest for possession of recreational marijuana or THC oils above 5% THC concentration.
If you would like to apply for a low THC oil card or want to know more, please call Southern Medical Therapeutics at (678) 408-6304.
The full text of the Georgia Hope Act can be found here.