In a landmark move just before the legislative deadline, the Georgia Senate passed three significant bills that reshape how the state regulates medical cannabis and hemp-derived products. These measures sparked heated debates among lawmakers from both parties, highlighting the ongoing tension between expanding medical marijuana access and tightening restrictions on recreational hemp products.

Major Expansion of Georgia’s Medical Cannabis Program

The most impactful of the three bills, Senate Bill 220, known as the Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act, passed with a 39–17 vote following extended deliberations. The bill introduces significant changes to Georgia’s medical marijuana framework, broadening patient access and altering key regulations:

• Rebranding Medical Cannabis: The bill replaces the term “low-THC oil” with “medical cannabis,” aligning Georgia’s terminology with other states that have legalized medical marijuana programs.
• Expanded Eligibility for Patients: Previous laws restricted medical cannabis use to patients with severe or final-stage conditions such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease. Under SB 220, patients no longer have to be in advanced stages of these conditions to qualify. Additionally, lupus has been added to the list of eligible medical conditions.
• Increased THC Limits: The bill raises the permitted THC concentration in medical cannabis from 5% to 50%, significantly expanding treatment options for patients.
• Lifting Vaping Restrictions: A major policy shift allows patients to vape medical cannabis oil, which was previously prohibited under Georgia law. This move is expected to enhance accessibility and efficacy for those who rely on inhalation for rapid relief.
• Caregivers’ Role in Distribution: A last-minute amendment grants caregivers the ability to pick up medical cannabis from pharmacies, making it easier for patients who are unable to obtain their medication themselves.

Attempts to introduce amendments that would have lowered THC limits, reinstated vaping restrictions, or removed PTSD and chronic pain from the qualifying conditions list were all rejected. The bill’s passage represents a significant step forward for medical cannabis patients in Georgia, granting them greater flexibility and access to treatment.

Tougher Regulations on Hemp-Derived Products

While lawmakers expanded access to medical cannabis, they also passed two separate bills aimed at tightening restrictions on hemp products, citing concerns over public safety and unregulated sales.

Senate Bill 33: Stricter Testing and Labeling Requirements

Senate Bill 33, spearheaded by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, seeks to enhance consumer protection by imposing stricter testing and labeling requirements for cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and HHC (hexahydrocannabinol). The bill, which passed 50–6, aims to:

• Prevent Unregulated Imports: Lawmakers raised concerns about unregulated hemp imports, particularly from China, where product safety standards are less stringent.
• Enhance Transparency: The bill mandates clear labeling and safety testing for all hemp-derived products, ensuring consumers have access to accurate potency and ingredient information.

Senate Bill 254: Crackdown on THC-Infused Beverages

A more controversial bill, Senate Bill 254, introduced by Sen. Bill Cowsert, specifically targets THC-infused beverages in Georgia. The legislation comes in response to a recent decision by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, which raised the legal THC limit per drink from 5 mg to 10 mg.

• Concerns Over High THC Content: Cowsert and other lawmakers argued that a 10 mg THC beverage is comparable to consuming four glasses of wine, raising concerns about public intoxication and impaired driving.
• Original Intent vs. Final Amendment: The bill initially sought to restore the 5 mg THC cap but was later amended to prohibit all THC-infused beverages outright.
• Final Vote: The bill passed with a 42–14 majority, reflecting lawmakers’ determination to curb the availability of recreational THC drinks in the state.

Georgia’s Evolving Cannabis Policies

The passage of these bills highlights Georgia’s evolving stance on cannabis policy—expanding medical cannabis accessibility while imposing tougher restrictions on recreational hemp-derived products.

Supporters of the medical cannabis expansion argue that higher THC levels and relaxed regulations will allow more patients to receive effective treatment, particularly those suffering from chronic illnesses. Meanwhile, advocates for tighter hemp regulations claim that unregulated THC-infused products pose public health risks, particularly among underage consumers.

As Georgia navigates these policy shifts, further debates, legal challenges, and potential revisions to cannabis and hemp laws are likely in the future. Whether these measures will lead to additional medical cannabis advancements or further restrictions on recreational products remains to be seen.