Confusion Over Legality of CBD Continues in Georgia

The 2018 Farm Bill removed hemp from the Controlled Substances Act and now classifies it as an agricultural crop. The Georgia General Assembly has even approved legislation to allow hemp cultivation in the state. What Georgia law doesn’t do is say that CBD is okay to possess and use.

Law enforcement and other officials are confused and can’t seem to say yes to CBD being okay to use and possess, AJC says. Stores that sell CBD products are being raided. Restaurants and other hospitality establishments have removed their CBD-infused menu items.

In May, the Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black sent out a warning that CBD-infused food and drinks are prohibited.

Terry Norris of the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association said, “All this really happened so quickly. We’ve seen a phenomenal increase in advertising for CBD, even before the Legislature was over. It’s going to take a while for the state to implement regulations. We’re going to be dealing with the aftermath.”

Georgia law enforcement doesn’t understand how hemp and marijuana grow. They don’t understand that they don’t grow well together. They seem to think that allowing hemp and medical marijuana cultivation in the state are going to increase crime and lead to additional drug abuse issues. These law enforcement officials are quite confused.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture has not issued guidelines, regulations or definitions for the state’s hemp industry, which is why some are still confused. Law enforcement won’t be directed on how to treat these cases until after those guidelines are issued.

Once the FDA issues guidelines, states that are quite confused on the non-intoxicating cannabinoid may have the direction they need to move forward.