Cannabis Laws in Georgia — Penalties, Limits, and Risks (2026)

[Informer]

The Legal Framework in Plain Terms​

Georgia's approach to cannabis is often misunderstood. The country has decriminalized personal consumption, but it has not legalized the supply chain—purchase, sale, possession above small limits, and cultivation all remain offenses .

The Constitutional Court rulings between 2015 and 2018 established that punishing personal marijuana consumption violated the right to free development of personality. But the court explicitly limited this to consumption alone—not to possession of significant quantities, not to cultivation, not to distribution .

Administrative Offenses: Fines, Not Prison​

For minor violations, Georgia applies administrative penalties—fines and, in some cases, short-term arrest.

Public consumption. Smoking marijuana in public places—streets, parks, beaches, courtyards, or in the presence of minors—carries a fine of 500 to 1,500 GEL (about $550), depending on the location and circumstances . In some cases, the range extends to 500–2,000 GEL .

Possession of small amounts. Up to 5 grams of cannabis plant or up to 10 grams of marijuana is treated as an administrative offense with a 500 GEL fine .

Refusing a drug test. This is also an administrative offense: 500–2,000 GEL fine or up to 60 days' administrative arrest, plus a 3-year driving license suspension .

Administrative Statistics 2026​

Between January 1 and April 20, 2026, Georgian police recorded:

• 905 violations related to marijuana consumption and possession
• 790 violations related to other drugs
• 45 people fined specifically for smoking marijuana
• 860 possession cases, with the highest numbers in Tbilisi, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, and Adjara

Of those fined for possession, 5 were women .

Criminal Offenses: When It Becomes Serious​

When quantities exceed administrative thresholds or when the offense involves more than personal use, criminal penalties apply.

Possession, Acquisition, Transport, or Transfer​

Article 273¹ of the Criminal Code covers these offenses :

Circumstance	Penalty
Small amount, first offense	Fine or 100–160 hours community service
Standard possession	Fine or 160–220 hours community service
Group, repeat, or prior offense	Fine or 220–300 hours community service
Large amount	Fine or 300–400 hours community service, or up to 2 years imprisonment
Large amount with aggravating factors	Fine + 400–500 hours community service, or up to 3 years imprisonment
Particularly large amount	2–6 years imprisonment
Particularly large with aggravating factors	3–7 years imprisonment

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Cultivation​

Article 265 covers illegal sowing, growing, or cultivation of plants containing narcotic substances :

Circumstance	Penalty
Standard cultivation	Fine or 2–5 years imprisonment
Large amount, group, official position, repeat	4–7 years imprisonment
Particularly large amount, organized group	6–12 years imprisonment

Important constitutional limitation: The Constitutional Court ruled that imprisonment cannot be applied for cultivation for personal use of cannabis plant in amounts up to 151 grams (for the 4–7 year provision) and up to 266 grams (for the 6–12 year provision) . This means small-scale personal cultivation avoids prison, but it remains a criminal offense with other penalties.

Sale and Distribution​

Sale, distribution, or offering drugs to others carries 5 to 8 years imprisonment, with higher ranges for aggravating circumstances. Large-scale trafficking or organized group offenses can result in 8 to 20 years or life imprisonment .

Aggravating Factors​

Several circumstances increase penalties across all drug offenses :

• Offenses committed in or near schools or public institutions
• Involving minors
• Acting as part of an organized group
• Offenses involving particularly large quantities
• Repeat offenses or prior drug convictions

What This Means for Tourists​

For foreign nationals, the consequences extend beyond the immediate legal penalty:

• Administrative offense (possession under limits, public consumption): fine, potential deportation, entry ban
• Criminal offense (cultivation, possession above limits, distribution): imprisonment, criminal record, deportation, long-term entry ban
• Unpaid fines can lead to denial of residence permit extension or a temporary travel ban until the debt is cleared

The Belgian Foreign Ministry warns travelers that drug trafficking in Georgia carries penalties of 5 to 25 years, and that Georgia is a significant transit route for narcotics.

Practical Points for Anyone Stopped​

If you're stopped by police in Georgia on drug-related suspicion :

• Translator: If you don't speak Georgian, police must call a translator before testing or questioning. Failure to do so is grounds for challenging the report.
• Rapid test dispute: You have the right to request a second lab test within 4 hours. Police must provide a sealed vial and receipt before the second test.
• Detention limit: No more than 12 hours without charges. After that, demand either an official report or immediate release.
• Phone or vehicle seizure: Only with a warrant from an investigator or prosecutor. Ask for a copy of the document and record witnesses.

The Bottom Line​

Georgia's cannabis laws are strict but tiered. Consumption in private is decriminalized. Everything else—possession above small limits, cultivation, sale—carries administrative fines or criminal penalties.

For tourists, the risk is real: a fine is the best-case scenario; deportation or criminal charges are possible. There are no legal sales points, no coffee shops, and no way to buy cannabis legally in Georgia.

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This information is for educational purposes only. Laws change—verify current regulations on matsne.gov.ge before traveling. Author does not encourage or condone illegal activity.