President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday, Dec. 18, reclassifying marijuana as a Scheduled III narcotic, a drop from the more severe Scheduled I narcotic it had been classified in for nearly 6 decades.

Since 1970, marijuana has been classified as a Schedule I drug, the same category as heroin, LSD, methaqualone and ecstasy. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) describes Schedule I substances as having no “medical use and a high potential for abuse.”

A review by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) found “scientific support for its use to treat anorexia related to a medical condition, nausea and vomiting, and pain,” Trump said in the executive order.

That review came after former President Joe Biden suggested his administration take a look at reclassifying the drug in 2023. The Department of Health and Human Services also recommended that year that marijuana be reclassified based on widespread use of medical marijuana across 43 U.S. jurisdictions for more than 6 million registered patients to treat at least 15 medical conditions, the EO said.

Is marijuana now legal in Georgia?

Not yet. In fact, it’s only in the infancy of review at the federal level. Lawmakers in Georgia will have to decide if it will allow marijuana at a state level.

Many states, however, 24 to be exact, have already legalized marijuana before Trump’s order, although Georgia remains on the sidelines.

While 24 states have adopted laws allowing adults to purchase and consume cannabis for non-medical use, Georgia continues to prohibit it.

But what does the Peach State allow medically?

Has Georgia legalized recreational marijuana?

No, Georgia does not allow adult-use of cannabis.

According to NORML, possession for personal use, even under an ounce, is punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 12 months in jail or up to a $1,000 fine.

Possessing more than an ounce is a felony, carrying penalties of 1 to 10 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

Does Georgia allow marijuana medically?

Georgia allows marijuana for medical purposes only, and exclusively in the form of low-THC oil (5% THC or less). Registered patients can possess up to 20 fluid ounces.

What states have legalized recreational marijuana?

According to U.S. News and World Report, here are the 24 states to legalize marijuana:

• Washington (as of 2012)
• Alaska (as of 2014)
• Oregon (as of 2014)
• California (as of 2016)
• Montana (as of 2020)
• Colorado (as of 2012)
• Nevada (as of 2016)
• Arizona (as of 2020)
• New Mexico (as of 2021)
• Minnesota (as of 2023)
• Missouri (as of 2022)
• Illinois (as of 2019)
• Michigan (as of 2018)
• Ohio (as of 2023)
• Virginia (as of 2021)
• Maryland (as of 2023)
• Maine (as of 2016)
• Delaware (as of 2023)
• New Jersey (as of 2020)
• New York (as of 2021)
• Vermont (as of 2018)
• Massachusetts (as of 2016)
• Rhode Island (as of 2022)
• Connecticut (as of 2021)

For more information, visit usnews.com/news.

C.A. Bridges is a trending reporter for Florida Connect.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Augusta leaders approved a 2026 budget that cuts all discretionary funding for nonprofits, including MACH Academy, which received $200,000 from the city last year.

The nonprofit gives children opportunities to develop social skills and tennis abilities. MACH Academy has operated in Augusta since 1992.

The loss of discretionary funding will force changes at MACH Academy, but the organization plans to continue its mission.

“So it may be that our hours may be changing,” said Helen Thomas-Pope, MACH Academy operations manager. “It may be that, looking at some of the supplies and things that we provide, that may have to change.”

Thomas-Pope said the organization’s mission will remain the same despite the budget cuts.

“As our tagline says, change lives,” Thomas-Pope said.

Parents, students praise program impact

Parents described MACH Academy as essential to their families and community.

“MACH Academy to me is a place of hope,” said Danielle Davidson, a parent.

Milissa Burch, another parent, said the academy provides crucial community support.

“You know, you always hear you need a village as a parent to raise your kids, and you come here, and you’re like, I want these people in my village,” Burch said.

Laquonna Peters said the program has helped her children develop socially and educationally.

“They’re starting to blossom again, my children and with the social interacting and the educational piece,” Peters said. “It’s just a blessing.”

Students at the academy described learning tennis skills and life lessons.

“I think it’s a place where you learn and play tennis and whenever you mess up, coaches will tell you where it’s wrong,” said student Sona.

Another student, Zeke, said the program helps him manage energy while learning to be a better person.

MACH Academy is one of several nonprofits facing cuts in Augusta’s new budget. Other organizations and departments also face funding reductions.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan hosted a community conversation in Augusta on Friday.

The event at the HUB for Community Innovation was the final stop of a statewide tour highlighting his fight to bring down housing costs.

Duncan heard from local experts in the housing space and discussed how he says he can expand these efforts and lower costs for families as governor.

Duncan is running as a Democrat, but was a Republican when he served as lieutenant governor.

The former professional baseball player is a fierce opponent of Republican President Donald Trump.

Copyright 2025 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.