With the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill that legalized products made from hemp as long as they contain THC below a certain level, many people have purchased products containing Delta 9, the cannabinoid that is an active ingredient in both hemp and marijuana.
So, what does that mean for Georgia residents? Is possession and use of Delta-9 legal, or can it land you in jail?
It’s only legal for those 21 and older
If you are an adult age 21 and older in Georgia, it is indeed legal to purchase and use Delta-9 products that have less than a dry weight THC total content of no more than .3%. But for teens and 20-year-olds, getting caught in possession of or using Delta-9 products, e.g., gummies or flower, can get them arrested on drug charges.
What’s a parent to do?
No parent wants to accept that their teenagers or young adults are experimenting with drugs or alcohol. To be sure, this can be the start of lifelong detrimental patterns of substance abuse.
Or it could merely be an incident where a curious teen felt pressure from their peers to cave and try a forbidden substance and got very unlucky. But you won’t know immediately which scenario you’re dealing with.
Protect your teen and their future
Your first duty as a parent is to prevent your teen’s future from being limited by a youthful conviction. Some education and career doors can permanently close for those with only a juvenile crime on their records, so make sure that your child is aware of the seriousness of the matter.
They should not discuss the arrest with police until they have had the opportunity to craft a defense strategy that can potentially lead to an acquittal.