Although medical marijuana in the form of low THC oil is legal for registered cardholders in Georgia, all other forms of marijuana remain illegal in the state. Despite this, illegal possession and use of the drug still occur in high volumes within Georgia. The state ranks sixth in the country for marijuana arrests and drug charges.
According to a 2021 study, approximately 11 million young adults aged 18 to 25 in the United States, which accounts for 35.4% of this age group, reported using marijuana in the past year. Marijuana, in various forms such as smoking, vaping, and edibles, is readily available and used by many on a daily basis.
While there are no reported cases of teens or adults dying from marijuana alone, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) does acknowledge some strong and troublesome effects of using marijuana. These include altered senses, changes in mood, impaired body movement, difficulty with thinking and problem-solving, impaired memory, hallucinations (in high doses), delusions (in high doses), and psychosis (risk is highest with regular use of high potency marijuana).
Long-term effects of marijuana, particularly when used by teenagers, may impact brain development, impairing thinking, memory, learning functions, and the brain’s ability to build necessary connections. Researchers are still studying the lasting effects and whether some changes may be permanent.
Other physical and mental effects of marijuana use can include breathing problems, increased heart rate, intense nausea and vomiting, temporary hallucinations and paranoia, anxiety and depression, and worsening symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia.
It is important to note that even if a person has a medical cannabis card, their Georgia employer may still have the right to terminate their employment if they fail a drug test. As for purchasing medical cannabis in Georgia, there are dispensaries coming soon, but specific details were not provided in the article.
If you have more questions about marijuana in Georgia, feel free to comment below or email for further information.
