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What You’ll Learn
As cannabis laws continue to evolve across the United States, the Southeast has become one of the most closely watched regions. From slow moving medical programs to booming hemp markets, the legal landscape is complex, state specific, and changing fast.
This article breaks down the cannabis laws for 2025 across key Southeastern states. Whether you’re a consumer, business owner, or just curious about what’s allowed where, this guide helps clarify where cannabis stands in your state.
Cannabis Law Categories
To keep things clear, we’ve broken laws into three key categories:
- Recreational cannabis: Legal for adult use, typically age 21+
- Medical cannabis: Allowed for patients with qualifying conditions and a state issued card
- Hemp derived cannabinoids: Includes Delta 8, Delta 9 (under 0.3%), THCa, and CBD products made from hemp
State by State Breakdown
North Carolina
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Limited, low THC CBD oil only
- Hemp Derived: Legal if compliant with federal guidelines (0.3% Delta 9 or less by dry weight)
South Carolina
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Limited CBD program only
- Hemp Derived: Legal under the 2018 Farm Bill
Georgia
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Low THC oil allowed for qualified patients (up to 5%)
- Hemp Derived: Legal with strict labeling requirements
Tennessee
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: No traditional program; CBD oil only
- Hemp Derived: Legal, including Delta 8 and THCa under federal rules
Alabama
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Legal but not fully operational (as of early 2025)
- Hemp Derived: Legal under federal law
Mississippi
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Legal and operational since 2022
- Hemp Derived: Legal with age and packaging restrictions
Florida
- Recreational: Illegal (but 2024 ballot initiative pending for 2025 vote)
- Medical: Fully legal and accessible for qualified patients
- Hemp Derived: Legal but subject to state enforcement
Arkansas
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Legal since 2016
- Hemp Derived: Legal under Farm Bill but regulated
Louisiana
- Recreational: Illegal
- Medical: Legal but limited access
- Hemp Derived: Legal, including Delta 8 and other cannabinoids
What Does “Hemp Legal” Actually Mean?
In most of these states, hemp derived products like Delta 9 gummies, THCa flower, and CBD are legally sold as long as they meet the federal definition of hemp:
- Derived from hemp (not marijuana)
- Contains less than 0.3% Delta 9 THC by dry weight
However, some states have imposed additional rules around packaging, age restrictions, and product types. Always check local updates.
Cannabis laws in the Southeastern U.S. remain some of the most restrictive in the country when it comes to recreational use. However, there is widespread access to hemp derived cannabinoids, and many states are expanding their medical programs.
If you’re looking for legal cannabis alternatives in the region, hemp derived THCa and Delta 9 products remain a strong and compliant option — especially when sourced from trusted, transparent retailers like Longleaf Provisions.
Stay informed. Laws are changing fast, and 2025 could be a pivotal year for cannabis reform across the South.
