“In many prohibition states, a significant portion of law enforcement and prosecutorial resources are still being directed toward arresting tens of thousands of cannabis consumers for activities that are now perfectly legal in nearly half of this country.”
“Today, the threat of arrest for cannabis possession largely comes down to geography.”
NORML Summer ‘26 Intern Ben Bailey provides an update on Georgia’s medical cannabis legislation
Following these expansions, NORML classifies Georgia as the 41st medical cannabis state.
The overwhelming majority of those arrested were charged with low-level marijuana possession — not cultivation, trafficking, or sales.
The ordinance, which took immediate effect, amends county code so that the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana is reduced to a civil violation punishable by no more than a $150 fine.
NORML Spring ’25 Intern Anna-Jewell Taylor shares their consumer safety policy priorities.
“For almost ten years, patients and their providers have lacked the ability to locally access these medically necessary state-approved products from state-licensed retailers. Hopefully, their wait is finally over.”