Georgia Senate Passes Significant Cannabis Bills
The Georgia Senate has approved three landmark bills, significantly altering the state’s approach to both medical and recreational cannabis. The measures, which were passed with votes split across party lines, reflect the ongoing debate surrounding cannabis regulations.
One of the most notable bills is the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act” (Senate Bill 220), which expands access to medical cannabis by removing restrictions on THC percentage. This allows for higher concentrations of THC in medical products and adds Lupus to the list of qualifying conditions. The bill also permits caregivers to pick up prescriptions from pharmacies.
Additionally, two bills focused on strengthening hemp regulations passed the senate. The “Georgia Hemp Farming Act” (SB 33) aims to regulate testing and labeling of chemical compounds derived from hemp, such as delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and HHC. This legislation builds upon previous regulations added last year under Senate Bill 494.
The second hemp-focused bill relaxes restrictions on the medical use of marijuana. Hemp, a variety of the Cannabis sativa plant, contains very low levels of THC and is used in a wide range of products, including textiles, paper, health foods, and construction materials.
All three bills have now passed the senate and await approval from the House before becoming law.
