CBD Oil in Georgia: The Simple Guide

Disclaimer: All of the information in this guide is based on our own research into the topic. We have done our best to use accurate and up-to-date information from respected and credible resources. However, we cannot claim to be a legal authority, and none of the following information should be taken as legal advice.

A Guide to CBD in Georgia

• The Georgia Hemp Act was finalized mid-2019, and it changed the CBD landscape in Georgia.
• Farmers and processors can now obtain licenses to grow and process industrial hemp into CBD and other products.
• CBD in Georgia must contain 0.3 percent THC or less.
• Consumers can find CBD almost anywhere, but edibles are still illegal to sell and purchase in accordance with FDA guidelines.
• The CBD market in Georgia is still new, and consumers need to be careful about the quality of the products they purchase.

Is CBD Oil Legal in Georgia?

If you’ve been hesitant to start trying CBD because you’re confused about its legality, you’re not alone. Many people are flocking to the newly popular substance to find out what the excitement is about, but just as many are refraining out of concern for breaking laws.

The restraint is not unreasonable—especially in the Peach State, considering Georgia’s history with cannabis law. However, recent legal developments have opened the door for a variety of new products to hit the market, and consumers across the state are now happily enjoying legal access to CBD products of all kinds.

Under the 2018 Farm Bill, farms are allowed to grow industrial hemp, defined as plants containing 0.3 percent or less THC. CBD is no longer a Schedule I controlled substance, and it is legal to process into consumer products as long as they fall under the THC content restrictions.

The Farm Bill is federal legislation, however, and each state is responsible for managing its own hemp-growing program, CBD legislation and enforcement.

Georgia has been slow to lift its restrictions on CBD, yet many stores have begun selling products containing the substance anyway, further confusing residents about its legality. In this article, we will try to clear up some of the ambiguity surrounding CBD, and what the recent changes mean for consumers.

Are There CBD Laws in Georgia?

Until mid-2019, Georgia’s CBD laws were more restrictive than federal laws, which allow up to 0.3 percent THC content. The state permitted patients with a medical marijuana card to possess low-THC oil (oil containing 0.5 percent THC or less, and a higher concentration of CBD), but even trace amounts of THC in non-medical products was prohibited. This led to a great deal of confusion among consumers, retailers and law enforcement alike. 

The passage of HB213 established an agricultural program with industrial hemp, allowing for a greater variety of CBD products to enter the Georgia market. The state is now more in line with the federal stance on hemp and CBD, allowing up to 0.3 percent THC concentration and banning CBD as a food or vitamin additive.

CBD in Georgia: Understanding Different Types of CBD Products

CBD Oil

The original form of CBD, CBD oil still offers the greatest variety among the products on the market. Oils come in different concentrations, and brands offer doses from as low as 7mg per dropper all the way up to 250mg per dropper.

CBD oils can be infused with different flavors, and they are usually found in an unflavored option as well. This makes it easy to add a dose of CBD to your morning coffee or your evening snack.

Penguin CBD’s exciting line of oils are made of pure CBD extracted from organically grown hemp. We infuse our CBD into MCT oil, which ensures that your body absorbs as much of the good stuff as possible. Visit our product page to find CBD oils in three doses and four flavors, all designed to fit your taste and lifestyle.

CBD Capsules

CBD capsules are a convenient form of CBD for an on-the-go day or for traveling. You don’t have to worry about messy spills; you can simply toss them into your bag and go.

Some people are not fond of the naturally bitter flavor of some CBD oil products, and CBD capsules provide a way of getting your daily dose without having to deal with it. The capsules we make at Penguin are easy to swallow, and they come in a perfect 10mg dose.  

CBD Gummies

Who said you can’t have your CBD and eat it too? CBD gummies are a delicious way to start your day, and their sweet-and-sour flavor will wake up your taste buds during afternoon slumps.  

The soft and chewy gummies made by Penguin are infused with CBD isolate, meaning they are free of THC and other cannabinoids. Discreet and easy to take with you wherever you go, they are a delicious part of any daily CBD routine.

CBD Cream

Some lotions leave you feeling greasy or are simply ineffective. Penguin’s CBD cream, however, is formulated to seal in moisture for a luxurious, velvety softness that lasts all day. Infused with peppermint and lavender, our CBD cream soothes and cools, for skin as soft as a Georgia peach.

Industrial Hemp in Georgia

Georgia’s commercial hemp-growing program has gotten off to a slow start, and the 2020 season is the first for this exciting crop. Until now, regulation has been caught up in processes and details, and legislators were looking for money to cover oversight. They finalized their regulations and appropriated funding earlier this spring, and growers are raring to go.

Georgia’s long growing season makes hemp an exciting prospect for farmers. Some are speculating that Georgia-made CBD may hit the shelves by the end of the year, if not sooner. Quality controls are strict, with no synthetic fungicides, pesticides or herbicides approved for use on the plants, and agents from the Georgia Department of Agriculture can come take samples for testing at any time without warning.

Georgia’s regulations surrounding CBD are in place to protect consumers and make sure they are only getting the highest-quality products available. Subject to the same quality standards as growers, processors in Georgia must also apply for licensing through the Department of Agriculture.

They may only accept raw hemp products from USDA-approved farms, and they will be regularly inspected to ensure compliance. 

Customers are no doubt excited about the prospect of getting CBD made with Georgia-grown hemp from Georgia processors, but it is important to remember that this program is in its infancy, and there is no telling how the first seasons will go.

Growers and processors will likely both have some kinks to work out before they match the quality you can find from companies like Penguin CBD. 

Can I Purchase CBD in Georgia?

Purchasing CBD

In Georgia, you can find CBD almost anywhere, but there are some complicated nuances to its legality and enforcement.

Georgia’s lawmakers have indicated that while they relaxed CBD laws to allow CBD products that contain up to 0.3 percent THC, it is still illegal to sell or purchase edibles. They maintain that this will be in effect until the FDA lifts its ban on ingestible CBD. 

You are better off getting your CBD online, where you can learn about each of the products you are considering. You can make sure your CBD company is reputable by looking at reviews and third-party lab results.

CBD Oil in Georgia

As of right now, regulatory focus has been on getting a growing and processing program up and running, and consumers have few protections when shopping for CBD in Georgia.

Since no CBD products originate within the state yet, retailers are having to import all of their products, and there is no way of confirming the purity or potency of anything without a certificate of analysis or independent testing. 

Due to a lack of oversight and regulation, there are a number of shady companies out there that use substandard hemp and misleading labeling, to sell you a product that could be ineffective or dangerous.

You can avoid getting scammed by looking for companies that use high-quality ingredients, never purchasing anything you cannot verify, and always insisting on seeing lab results, like the ones we at Penguin display on our website for all of our products.

Penguin

At Penguin CBD, we start with hemp grown organically here in the United States. We use extraction processes that ensure you will always get the purest CBD on the market today. We label our products accurately, and our lab results back up every statement we make about what is in your package.

When you are looking for the best CBD around, you can’t go wrong with Penguin CBD. We care about your health and safety, and it shows in the quality products we have created for your daily enjoyment. At Penguin CBD, we value your trust, which is why we are among the top picks for major publications like Merry Jane and The Daily Beast. 

Final Thoughts About CBD in Georgia

The Georgia CBD market is just starting to blossom. Until very recently, no one in the state could legally grow industrial hemp for commercial purposes, and it was illegal to sell, purchase or possess CBD that contained even trace amounts of THC. Recent legislation, however, has changed everything and there is a newly expanding horizon for the CBD market in the Peach State. 

While it is now legal to purchase CBD with a THC concentration of up to 0.3 percent, you still need to be careful buying CBD in Georgia because products may be labeled inaccurately.

If you get caught with products that contain more than the allowable amount of THC, you could end up in legal trouble. Additionally, though you can find edible CBD products in Georgia, they are illegal to sell or purchase. 

As of right now, your best bet is to stick to making your CBD purchases online from reputable companies like Penguin CBD.

We will never sell you an illegal product, and you can be certain that everything you buy from our company is made of the highest quality on the market. Visit our website today to find the chillest products around.