Medical Marijuana Use in Georgia – What You Need to Know

Marijuana is getting more attention these days as its reputation transitions from an illegal, recreational drug to a homeopathic medical supplement. That being the case, it’s good to know what your legal rights are concerning marijuana use in the State of Georgia.

What Is Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana involves using the whole marijuana plant or its extracts, in unprocessed form, to treat uncomfortable symptoms. One of the more common medicinal forms is an oil derived from extracts of the plant.

Legal Medical Marijuana Use in Georgia

Legalizing marijuana for medical use has been an ongoing battle across the United States. On May 9, 2017, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed a bill that expanded medicinal marijuana use to include six more conditions:

• AIDS
• Alzheimer’s
• Autism
• Epidermolysis bullosa
• Peripheral neuropathy
• Tourette’s

These are in addition to the conditions approved for treatment with medical marijuana since 2015, which include cancer and epilepsy.

The allowable medical marijuana comes in the form of cannabis oil. It’s limited to having a concentration of THC of 5%. THC plays a role in reducing nausea, improving appetite, and decreasing pain and inflammation. However, this component is also what gives recreational marijuana its high, so the levels must be limited in medicinal use.

Illegal Marijuana Use in Georgia

Georgia has strong penalties for those caught possessing, distributing, or trafficking marijuana or marijuana wax, neither of which are considered to have medicinal benefits.

What if you’re accused of illegal marijuana use in Atlanta?

To avoid getting caught up in a damaging accusation, you need the help of an expert defense lawyer. Contact Jeff Manciagli, Trial Attorney if you’re facing marijuana charges. Jeff will use his twenty-plus years of experiences to fight for reduced or dropped charges.