Are there coffee shops in Georgia, and what does the law allow on marijuana?
What the Constitutional Court decided and what remains a crime.
Short answer
There are no coffee shops in Georgia: selling marijuana is illegal. Since a 2018 Constitutional Court ruling, consumption itself is not punished unless it endangers others, but growing, selling and importing it remain crimes. Use is prohibited in public places, on transport, in educational institutions and around children.
Why
- On July 30, 2018, Georgia's Constitutional Court ruled that punishing consumption itself is unconstitutional unless it endangers third parties.
- The court explicitly kept liability for use in public places, schools, on transport and around children.
- Trafficking, meaning growing, selling and carrying it across the border, is still governed by criminal law.
Details
For tourists the main risk is the border: bringing marijuana into Georgia from another country counts as drug smuggling, even in small amounts and even if it was bought legally elsewhere. Driving under the influence is also punishable.
Common misconception
Marijuana is fully legal in Georgia.
What actually happens
No, only consumption in permitted circumstances goes unpunished. Selling, growing and importing are banned.
People also ask
- Is marijuana legal in Georgia?
Sources
This answer is for reference only and is not legal advice. Laws change, so check the official text on Matsne.
Marijuana in Georgia: law and finesRelated questions
-
What can and can't you take out of Georgia?
You can take personal belongings, souvenirs, wine, chacha and food for your own use out of Georgia; Georgian customs mainly restricts items of cultural heritage and large amounts of cash.
-
What is forbidden for tourists in Georgia, and what gets you fined?
The fines tourists most often face in Georgia are for smoking indoors, overstaying the visa-free period and traffic violations.
-
What can get you deported from Georgia?
A foreigner can be expelled from Georgia for staying unlawfully, for example after the visa-free period ends, for threatening state security or public order, and for certain offences.
-
Where can you smoke in Georgia, and what are the fines?
In Georgia you cannot smoke inside buildings and enclosed spaces, including cafes, restaurants and bars, or on most public transport.