Georgia Laws

Georgia Laws & Regulations

The information contained on this website is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice on any matter. The Information constitutes general information of applicable administrative regulation and/or laws related to general topics in the arena of controlled substance misuse and abuse and may not reflect current legal developments and updates. Please refer to your state legislature for any potential changes. 

Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.)

Georgia Administrative Code: Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia (GAC)

GAC – Department 480: Rules of Georgia State Pharmacy

Georgia Advertising/Marketing Information

• GAC Rule 480-5-.03 – Code of Professional Conduct
• GAC Rule 480-16-.05 – Deceptive Advertising
• O.C.G.A. § 26-3-2 – Definitions
• O.C.G.A. § 26-3-3 – Prohibited Acts
• O.C.G.A. § 26-3-13 – When a drug, device, or cosmetic advertisement deemed false.

Georgia Child Safety Information

• O.C.G.A. § 15-11-2 – Definitions
• O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391 – Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances; penalties; publication of notice of conviction for persons convicted for second time; endangering a child.
• O.C.G.A. § 51-1-30.2 – Immunity of teachers and school personnel from liability for communicating information concerning drug abuse.
• O.C.G.A. § 51-1-46 – “Drug Dealer Liability Act”; purpose; definitions; actions against persons participating in illegal marketing of controlled substances.

Georgia Compounding Information

• GAC Chapter 480-11 – Pharmaceutical Compounding
• O.C.G.A. § 26-4-5 – Definitions
• O.C.G.A. § 26-4-86 – Compounding and distribution of drug products

Georgia Coroner/Medical Examiner Information

• O.C.G.A. Title 45, Ch. 16 – Coroners
• O.C.G.A. § 45-16-80 – Abolition of office of coroner; qualifications, appointment, compensation, powers, and duties of medical examiners.
• CDC Georgia Coroner/Medical Examiner Laws

Georgia Drug Checking Information (Test Strips)

• O.C.G.A. § 26-3-22 – Other laws unaffected by chapter

Georgia Drug Cleanup Information (Methamphetamine & Fentanyl Labs)

• NO STATE LAWS OR REGULATIONS IDENTIFIED

Georgia Drug Court Information

• O.C.G.A. § 15-1-15 – Drug court divisions
• Council of Accountability Court Judges – Statutes, Rules, Laws

Georgia Drug Free Workplace Information

• O.C.G.A. § 34-9-410 – Legislative intent.
• O.C.G.A. § 34-9-411 – Definitions.
• O.C.G.A. § 34-9-412.1 – Certification.
• O.C.G.A. § 34-9-413 – Elements of program; applicable confidentiality standards.
• O.C.G.A. § 34-9-417 – Education program on substance abuse.
• O.C.G.A. § 34-9-418 – Supervisor training on substance abuse.
• O.C.G.A. § 34-9-421 – Rules and regulations.

Georgia Drugged Driving Information

• O.C.G.A. § 40-5-55 – Implied consent to chemical tests
• O.C.G.A. § 40-6-390 – Reckless Driving
• O.C.G.A. § 40-6-391 – Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substances; penalties; publication of notice of conviction for persons convicted for second time; endangering a child.
• O.C.G.A. § 40-6-392 – Chemical tests for alcohol or drugs
• O.C.G.A. § 40-6-393 – Homicide by Vehicle

Georgia Drug Violations Information

• O.C.G.A. § 16-13 – Controlled Substances

Georgia Electronic Prescribing Information

• GAC Chapter 480-27 – Requirements of a Prescription Drug Order When Utilizing a Computer or Other Electronic Means

Georgia First Responder Deflection Program(s) Information

• O.C.G.A. Title 15, Ch. 18, Art. 4 – Pretrial Intervention and Diversion Program [O.C.G.A. § 15-18-80 through O.C.G.A. § 15-18-82]

Georgia 911 – Good Samaritan Information

• O.C.G.A. § 35-1-7 – Liability of law enforcement officers performing duties at the scene of an emergency.
• O.C.G.A. § 51-1-29 – Liability of persons rendering emergency care.

Georgia Medical Marijuana, Recreational Marijuana & CBD Information

• GAC Chapter 40-32 – Hemp Growers and Processors
• GAC Chapter 351 – Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission
• O.C.G.A. Title 16, Ch. 12, Art. 9 – Access to Medical Cannabis [O.C.G.A. § 16-12-200 through O.C.G.A. § 16-12-236]
• SB 494 – ‘Georgia Hemp Farming Act’; hemp products; regulate (Signed by Gov 4/30/2024 – Act 498)

Georgia Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Information

• GAC Chapter 111-8-53 – Rules and Regulations for Narcotic Treatment Programs
• O.C.G.A. 26 Chapter 5 Article 2 – Narcotic Treatment Programs Enforcement [O.C.G.A. § 26-5-40 through O.C.G.A. § 26-5-62]

Georgia Naloxone Information

• O.C.G.A. § 16-13-26 – Schedule II.
• O.C.G.A. § 16-13-32 – Transactions in drug related objects; civil forfeiture; penalties.
• O.C.G.A. § 31-11-54 – Services which may be rendered by paramedics and paramedic trainees.
• O.C.G.A. § 31-11-55 – Services which may be rendered by certified cardiac technicians and trainees.
• O.C.G.A. § 31-11-55.1 – Opioid antagonists administered by first responder to save life of person experiencing opioid related overdose.
• SB 395 – Wesley’s Law (Signed by Gov 4/23/2024 – Act 462 – Effective July 1, 2024)

Georgia Needle Exchange Programs (NEP) & Syringe Services programs (SSP) Information

• GAC Chapter 511-2-9 – Syringe Services Programs
• O.C.G.A. § 16-13-32 – Transactions in drug related objects; civil forfeiture; penalties.

Georgia Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal (NOWS) Information

• O.C.G.A. § 31-12-2 – Reporting certain diseases and neonatal abstinence syndrome; confidentiality; reporting required of pharmacists; immunity from liability as to information supplied; notification of potential bioterrorism.

Georgia Opioid Litigation Proceeds Information

• O.C.G.A. § 10-13B-1 – Legislative findings.
• O.C.G.A. § 10-13B-2 – Definitions

Georgia Overdose Prevention Centers (OPC), Supervised Consumption Sites (SCS), Supervised Injection Facilities (SIF) Information

• NO STATE LAWS OR REGULATIONS IDENTIFIED

Georgia Overdose Surveillance/Reporting Information

• NO STATE LAWS OR REGULATIONS IDENTIFIED

Georgia Pain Management Information

• GAC Chapter 360-8 – Pain Management Clinics
• GAC Rule 360-3-.06 – Pain Management
• GAC Rule 360-3-.07 – Practice Through Electronic or Other Such Means
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-280 – Short title.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-281 – Legislative intent.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-282 – Definitions.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-283 – Licensure requirements.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-284 – Denial, suspension, and revocation of licenses.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-285 – Notice to the board upon the occurrence of certain events.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-286 – Registration of clinics dispensing controlled substances.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-287 – Renewal of licenses.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-288 – Penalty for violation of article.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-289 – Annual notification regarding use of Schedule II or III controlled substances.
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34-290 – Confidentiality of records.

Georgia Pill Press & Counterfeit Medication Information

• O.C.G.A. § 16-13-43 – Unauthorized distribution; penalties.

Georgia Prescription Drug Drop-Off Information

• GAC Chapter 480-50 – Drug Disposal and Authorized Collectors

Georgia Prescription Drug Importation Information

• NO STATE LAWS OR REGULATIONS IDENTIFIED

Georgia Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Information

• GAC Subject 511-7-2 – Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
• O.C.G.A. Title 16, Ch. 13, Art. 2, Pt. 2 – Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Data Base [O.C.G.A. § 16-13-57 through O.C.G.A. § 16-13-65]

Georgia Precursor Chemicals/Including Pseudoephedrine Information

• O.C.G.A. § 16-1-7 – Multiple prosecutions for same conduct.
• O.C.G.A. § 16-5-73 – Prohibition against presence of children during manufacture of methamphetamine; punishment.
• O.C.G.A. § 16-13-29 – Schedule V.
• O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30 – Purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution, or sale of controlled substances or marijuana; penalties.
• O.C.G.A. § 16-13-30.4 – Licenses for sale, transfer, or purchase for resale of products containing pseudoephedrine; reporting and record-keeping requirements; grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses; civil forfeiture; penalties.
• O.C.G.A. § 16-13-31 – Trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana, or methamphetamine; penalties.

Georgia Prison/Jail Program(s) Information

• GAC Rule 144-5-.07 – Residential Substance Abuse Treatment for State Prisoners

Georgia School Programs/Information

• O.C.G.A. § 20-2-144 – Mandatory instruction concerning alcohol, tobacco, vapor products, and other drug use.

Georgia Sober Living Homes/Recovery Residence Information

• GAC Chapter 111-8 – Healthcare Facility Regulation
• SB 4 – Drug Abuse Treatment and Education Programs; patient brokering; prohibit; definitions; exceptions; penalties; provide (Signed by Gov 5/4/2021 – Act 205)

Georgia Substance Abuse Services Information

• O.C.G.A. § 37-7-1 – Definitions
• O.C.G.A. § 37-7-61 – Petition for court ordered evaluation.
• O.C.G.A. § 37-7-62 – Hearing on petition for court ordered evaluation; notice; appointment of representatives; patient’s right to counsel; waiver of hearing by patient; procedure upon issuance of order for evaluation.

Georgia Telemedicine/Telehealth Information

• GAC Chapter 135-11 – Telemental Health
• GAC Rule 360-3-.07 – Practice Through Electronic or Other Such Means
• O.C.G.A. § 43-34 Article 1 – Medical Practice [O.C.G.A. § 43-34-20 through O.C.G.A. § 43-34-48]

Last updated – 7/5/2024