CBD Oil in Georgia: What’s Legal and What’s Not

CBD possesses only trace amounts of THC which is the same compound that produces the “high” one could get from using marijuana. It’s generally extracted from hemp which was basically removed from the Controlled Substances Act through the federal Farm Bill.

With that being said, CBD Oil is no longer illegal if you consider federal law.

In addition to that, the Georgia General Assembly also happened to pass a bill that permits the cultivation of hemp in the state.

Now, this is where it gets confusing.

Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black issues a warning that says CBD use in foods and drinks is still prohibited. Because of that, dozens of coffeehouses, bars, and restaurants pulled back their CBD products.

And there are people who have been arrested for possessing CBD oil. This includes a 69-year-old grandma who was handcuffed while being taken into custody at a Walt Disney World checkpoint because of a bottle of CBD oil inside her purse.

Sounds scary, right?

While the police don’t really like telling its people to live in fear of them, they want the public to be aware of the really small possibility of extreme instances happening, such as the episode that happened with the Disney grandma.

Going back to the question, the answer is yes.

As with the other 49 states of the country, you can legally use hemp oil in Georgia. You can sell, buy, and possess CBD oil without having to worry about facing legal issues.

Just make sure that the oil you have has low THC. Also, it should only be used for certain medical conditions.

Otherwise, you might end up with Georgia’s harsh marijuana law.

Despite the confusion of the legality of CBD oil in Georgia, you can actually find it almost everywhere. In fact, you can even find it in sparkling water, ice cream, coffee, and kombucha.

However, if you really want something pure for your pain, anxiety, and trouble issues, you may want to consider buying CBD oil solely instead of getting it mixed with your drinks or food. It’s also a good option if you want to avoid legal consequences from using CBD oil in Atlanta and other cities in the state.

Now, there are a couple of ways to buy CBD oil in Georgia.

Your first option is to get a “low THC oil” card for the state. To get one, you need to see your physician to know if your eligibility.

Your information will be entered into the “Low THC Oil Registry” which we’ll cover later on. It’s where the entire process for application will be completed. After qualifying, you’ll be able to get your ID card from any of the Public Health Offices in the state.

If that sounds like a lot of work for you, you can just buy your CBD oil online. Make sure that you’re purchasing from a reputable and reliable company to ensure not just the product’s legality and quality but your safety, too.

The medical marijuana law of the state only allows certain qualified persons to have a maximum of 20 fluid ounces of low THC CBD oil. If you want to qualify, there are certain criteria you have to meet.

In general, there are 3 categories of people who qualify for the card. First are the adults who have one or more of the law-specified diseases.

Next are the legal guardians of adults who have 1 or more of the said diseases. Parents or legal guardians taking care of a minor child may also apply for the card.

The list of diseases and conditions that qualify for the registry is quite long. However, as a way to guide you, we’ve listed down some of the diseases covered by the law.

• Seizure disorders that are related to epilepsy or head injuries related to trauma
• Mitochondrial diseases
• Cancer
• Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease at its most severe or end-stage
• Autism spectrum disorder
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at its end stage
• Crohn’s disease
• Intractable pain
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD that directly results from exposure or witnessing of a traumatic event

If you happen to be caring for your patient with another legal guardian, then you have the option to apply for separate cards.

Now, for the application process, it generally starts with the physician treating you. There are forms you’ll be required to fill.

The first one is the waiver form which you and your doctor needs to sign. Then, there’s the physician certification form.

For legal purposes, your doctor will keep the original certification and waiver. If you need to secure a copy for yourself, then you need to request a copy.

Your doctor will be the one to send your data to the Department of Public Health. Once there’s a confirmation for your qualification, they’ll start making your registry card.

There’s a standard fee for the card which you need to pay. It costs about $25.

Your card will be valid for two years from the date it’s issued. Don’t worry about forgetting its expiry date since it’s going to be printed in front of your ID card.

After such time, you’ll need to see your doctor again and request to have your information updated in the registry. Processing your data, printing your ID card, and getting it ready for pick-up will generally take around 15 business days.

If you happen to lose your card, you can call the State Office of Vital Records. They’ll contact your doctor just to confirm that you are still under his care.

After confirming that, you’ll be provided with a new registry card.

Georgia is one of those states that have confusing CBD laws. While it allows the use of CBD oils containing low THC, the addition of CBD oil into food and dietary supplement is considered against the law.

This is because the state’s Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety Division follows the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act. It states that the inclusion of hemp into animal feed, supplement, and food leaves the product adulterated.

And the Department won’t change their stand regarding recreational and medical marijuana in Georgia unless the FDA alters theirs.

The Department of Agriculture and the rest of the people responsible for drafting laws involving CBD oil use and hemp cultivation and processing are in the process of drafting better regulations and rules. They should be able to come up with a more finalized and solid rules soon.

Georgia has a harsh marijuana law and it makes the people who are in need of CBD oil for treating specific medical conditions wary not just for their health but their safety, too.