Georgia’s CBD market is growing rapidly, making it one of the best places to get CBD in the country. Although marijuana-derived CBD products are only legal for medical purposes, it’s legal to use hemp-derived CBD. This guide covers everything you need to know about purchasing CBD oil in Georgia, including its legality. We’ll answer your questions about the legal status of CBD in the state.
Furthermore, you’ll learn about where to buy CBD oil in Georgia. You’ll find the largest CBD oil stores in North Georgia and around the Great Atlanta Area. However, you can also buy CBD products online for convenience. There are many CBD oil brands in the market today, and it can be overwhelming to choose a quality product. Before the end of this guide, we’ll also discuss some important factors to look for when buying CBD oils.
CBD Oil in Georgia: Things You Should Know
Thankfully, it’s pretty straightforward to buy CBD oil in Georgia. The CBD market is expanding rapidly in the state. That means CBD enthusiasts have tons of options when it comes to buying high-quality CBD oils and products.
Of course, these products must meet state and legal regulations. For instance, the state hemp program runs in accordance with the Farm Bill. So, people are permitted to cultivate hemp containing no more than 0.3 percent THC. Also, you can’t just decide to wake up and grow hemp pants in your backyards. You must have permission from the state’s department of Agriculture (GDA).
In Georgia, it’s perfectly legal to buy hemp-derived CBD products. However, marijuana-based products are illegal except for medical purposes. Patients with certain medical conditions can use high CBD and low THC marijuana oils. If you want to use CBD oil as a medical marijuana patient in Georgia, you must be suffering from one of these conditions:
- ALS
- Sickle cell disease
- Tourette’s syndrome
- Alzheimer’s disease
- AIDS/HIV
- Autism
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Cancer
- Crohn’s Disease
- Epidermolysis bullosa
- Intractable pain
- Mitochondrial disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Keep in mind that the medical marijuana program doesn’t legalize its use. It only provides a legal defense in court if the authorities want to punish you for possessing it. We’ll discuss more on CBD oil legality in the following sections.
Is CBD Oil Legal in Georgia?
So, is CBD oil legal in Georgia? Yes, CBD oil is legal in Georgia, thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill. This bill allows people to buy and sell hemp-based CBD oil with 0.3 percent or less THC across the United States. Consumers cannot get high from hemp-based CBD because the THC level is low.
The legality of CBD oil in Georgia depends on the type of CBD in question. As you probably know, CBD or cannabidiol can be sourced from hemp plant or marijuana. The source of CBD oil determines its legality.
Hemp CBD Oil is Legal in Georgia
Hemp CBD oil is totally legal in Georgia, similar to all 50 states in the United States. You can sell, buy, and transport CBD products without worrying about legal consequences.
Do you need a prescription for CBD oil in Georgia? No, you don’t need a prescription to buy hemp-derived CBD products.
Hemp-based CBD products contain only trace amounts of THC, the psychoactive compound. This type of CBD contains less than 0.3 percent THC and has no intoxicating effects.
You can easily buy hemp CBD oil in Georgia if you know the right stores. But even if you don’t find a local store, search for CBD oil online.
Marijuana CBD Oil isn’t Legal in Georgia
CBD oil that comes from marijuana contains a higher level of THC. Without a medical marijuana card, marijuana-derived CBD oils are illegal in Georgia. Even with a medical card, there are certain restrictions. For example, your CBD oil must have an equal amount of CBD and THC. Also, the THC content must not exceed 5 percent. Although the state was one of the first to enact medical marijuana laws, Georgia has no recreational marijuana laws.
Is Marijuana Legal in Georgia?
Marijuana is still a schedule 1 drug under federal law. Therefore, it’s a punishable federal offense when you’re caught with it. Georgia’s marijuana laws are far from friendly. Anyone caught possessing more than an ounce of marijuana is a felony. The punishment for this offense is up to ten years in prison. The possession of less than an ounce is considered a misdemeanor with a $1000 fine and a year in prison.
Interestingly, the state allows medical marijuana for specific medical conditions. Gov. Nathan Deal signed HB1 into law in April 2015. Also known as Haleigh’s Hope Act, this legislation protects patients with qualifying medical conditions from prosecution. It allows the use of CBD-rich marijuana oils as long as they contain no more than five percent THC.
Georgia was one of the first states to legalize medical marijuana. However, although the state has a medical marijuana program, there are no sources for legal supply. The law didn’t address the production of this low-THC oil, nor did it create regulations around its purchase and transport.
Fortunately, Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 324 on April 17, 2019. HB 324, also known as Georgia’s Hope Act, sets a regulatory system for the state’s department of Public Health to regulate the sale and production of low-THC oils. This bill allows about six companies and two universities to grow and produce low-THC cannabis oils.
Where to Buy CBD Oil in Georgia
Wondering where to buy CBD oil in Georgia? You have many options. As we said earlier, you will find many local CBD oil stores in Georgia. The largest concentrations of shops are in North Georgia. But, if buying from local stores is not convenient, you can look for online retailers. In fact, we always recommend purchasing CBD oil online, directly from the manufacturer’s website. That will help you find high-quality and authentic products.
Online Shops
Purchasing CBD oil in Georgia online is quite easy. You need to find a reputable CBD brand that meets the current industry standards. If you know some factors to look out for, it’s not difficult to identify the right brand.
For instance, a good company should source its CBD from organic hemp plants free of pesticides and toxic chemicals. They will also take their products from independent lab testing and publish the lab reports on their website. No reputable CBD provider will make unrealistic claims about their products or go over what research shows on the effects of CBD.
Local Stores
Another option is to visit a local store near you and buy CBD oil. If you want to inspect your product before making any commitment, this is a great option. Also, delivery days can take anywhere between two to three days. If you can’t wait for the product to be delivered, you will find plenty of stores to buy CBD oil in Georgia locally. Ask the store’s employees to point you in the right direction regarding CBD extracts and quality options.
Local CBD Retailers in Georgia
The hemp industry is booming rapidly, and we expect an abundance of CBD stores in more cities in Georgia. So far, we have several top-rated, local CBD oil stores in Georgia. Some of the recommended local retailers include the following:
Atlanta
- Village Smoke
- Vape 911
- EAV Smoke & Vape
- Vape Atlanta
Augusta
- Ragweeds Smokes & Tokes
- Aficionados of Augusta
- Victorious Vapors
- iPuff Smoke & Vape
- Your CBD Store
Savannah
- Smoke City
- Mary Jane’s CBD & Vape Shop
- Gallery Smoke Savannah
- Blue Smoke Vape
- Ye Ole Tobacco Shop
- Sunset Novelties
CBD Oil in Georgia: Online Shops vs Local Stores
Shopping online can be daunting for those who want to hold the product in their hands and check it out before buying. But, purchasing CBD from a reputable online store is the most convenient method when making a purchase. You can shop from the comfort of your home. Also, you have access to your favorite products in different forms, including creams, balms, ointments, tinctures, and gummies.
If you want CBD oil for dogs in Georgia, some of these online stores offer CBD products for pets. Online retailers are generally have a wide selection of products compared to local stores. Furthermore, shopping for CBD online gives you access to discounts you may not get from local retailers.
Buying CBD online also makes it easy for you to research the company. Before purchasing, you can conduct quick research on the brand’s farming practices, extraction, and lab reports. If a manufacturer is honest about its process, it will provide customers with the relevant information. Also, you can quickly read customer reviews and compare online rankings of the best CBD brands.
Whether you buy your CBD oil online or from a local store, it’s essential to do your research. Take as much time as you need to research the brand and products before spending money on any product.
What to Look for When Buying CBD Oil in Georgia
CBD is not a highly regulated market. So, it may be difficult to find a trustworthy source for your CBD products. There is no shortage of CBD brands trying to make quick money off the uninformed. If you want to buy the best CBD oils in Georgia, here are a few tips to guide you.
Hemp Source: Knowing the source of the CBD oil is crucial because it gives you insight into other components. The quality of the hemp plant a company utilizes influences the quality of the end product. Choose manufacturers that use organic hemp plants free of synthetic chemicals like pesticides. CBD grown through natural farming practices is more likely to have a higher quality in safety, potency, and taste.
Extraction Method: Equally important when choosing a CBD oil product is extraction. A transparent CBD company will share the extraction method they use to obtain their CBD oil. CO2 is the industry’s leading extraction method. This technique doesn’t use any additional solvent. So, the end product is always pure, clean, and free of potentially harmful residues. Because CO2 extraction is the most expensive option, some manufacturers reduce costs by using solvent extraction. The use of solvents can leave behind a chemical residue in the final product.
Third-party Lab Testing: Lab reports are one of the most crucial things to look for when buying CBD oil in Georgia or anywhere else. You should ensure the products are third-party tested by an independent lab for purity, potency, and safety.
Some CBD products you find on shelves have less CBD than the brand is advertising. These third-party tests help confirm the concentration of cannabinoids, including CBD and THC, in the product. Also, they test for contaminants, heavy metals, or toxic chemicals.
Brand Reputation: If you want the best CBD oil in Georgia, you should buy from a reputable company. CBD companies abound, but to buy a quality product, choose transparent brands. Read verified reviews about the company from customers and industry experts.
Does the brand have positive feedback from users? Can you find all the relevant information you need on the company and its product offerings?
Always stay vigilant when shopping for CBD oil in Georgia, online, or anywhere else. Buy only from a reliable supplier. While that may not be the cheapest option available, it’s most likely the one that offers quality products for your needs.
Closing Thoughts
Regardless of the gray areas surrounding the medical use of marijuana CBD, hemp-based CBD oils are legal in Georgia. They are also widely available both in local stores and online shops. The state of Georgia is one of the thriving CBD markets with many shops where you can purchase high-quality CBD.
Whether you buy CBD oil online or from a local CBD store, the most important thing is to choose a reputable brand. Quality is of utmost importance when purchasing CBD products, given that we have thousands of CBD brands in the US market. Always do your research and ensure you avoid suspicious companies.
