Common law marriage in Georgia has become a bit of a cultural colloquialism for what you could call more of a business-like partnership than a romantic relationship. However, there is a defined legal distinction that makes the question, “the recognition of common law marriage in Georgia” particularly relevant for many in Georgia nowadays, especially within the burgeoning cannabis community. When law and personal liberties are a familiar narrative, the concept of common law marriage can be applied to everyday life. To be specific with the cannabis culture, can the two be metaphorically and realistically correlated?
For those less familiar with the term common law marriage, it represents a sort of unwritten and non-legally documented agreement between two adults to be in a committed relationship. This method of entering a new stage of partnership, in technical terms, is simply a method of marriage, instead of a legal marriage. Though not infallible, this is one of the ways commonplace within the cannabis community, who seek to be married without the interjection of the government, and therefore the bank unlawful legalization of their own marriage.
So how does one even go about creating this kind of marriage? The process is fairly simple – a verbal agreement. So long as the following points are present to be considered a common law marriage, the “marriage” will be considered legal under Georgia law:
Of course, for each couple the determination of the legality of the marriage will be examined case-by-case, as defined by the state law. It’s essential also to address that, although not recognized in every state, many states are starting to consider same-sex common law marriages.
As it can be seen, the key factors here are mutual agreement and cohabitation. With these two elements, one can create a common law marriage, independent of prior and subsequent affairs. These factors outline the legal aspects of their relationship, not outlining their emotional bond.
Though the decision has been made and solidified upon creating a common law marriage, many avoid going through with the process to fully becoming a legal marriage, so as to avoid getting the state involved in their relationship. However, it’s worth noting that, should a common law marriage dissolve, legal issues can and do arise. These include:
Overall, how does common law marriage stack up to withdrawing, sowing and growing marijuana? Using the seeds from the previous year and taking care of them with hope that they will grow, much like (legal) cannabis, have closer ties than one may first realize. With that thought in mind, allowing the state and its opinion in these matters would be unwise in Georgia if “cannabis couples” seek to avoid having more government involvement within their lives and to preserve the rights of personal freedoms.
Not unlike its pot-ontology cousin, the question of common law marriage is sensitive for those in Georgia’s cannabis culture. Are the two applicable to life, or merely a fictional creation founded by those wishing to create something that is considered “right”? In the end, the conversation and the decision are theirs to make.