Georgia Lawmakers to Expand Medical Marijuana Access
A House committee will convene in Macon, Georgia, on Thursday to discuss expanding the state’s medical cannabis program. The proposed legislation aims to provide access to thousands of Georgians suffering from chronic conditions, beyond the current restrictions that only allow patients with terminal illnesses to use medical marijuana.
The House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Medical Marijuana and Hemp Policies will hear public testimony and review proposed legislation that failed to pass during the previous session. The committee’s chairman, Rep. Robert Dickey, explained that the push for expansion began with families affected by autism, who have seen significant benefits from cannabis products.
Dickey emphasized that many patients and doctors remain unaware of the current legal options, while hemp-derived CBD products sold at smoke shops and convenience stores operate with minimal regulation. The committee aims to find a middle ground between the two, ensuring that patients have access to safe and regulated medical cannabis products.
Fine Fettle, one of Georgia’s licensed medical cannabis facilities, has prepared for potential expansion by building unused capacity into its facility. General Manager Will Kacheris expressed confidence that Georgia will eventually follow other states in expanding medical cannabis access, citing patient demand and potential tax revenue.
The study committee was formed after neither House nor Senate versions of expansion legislation passed during the previous session. Committee members plan to gather testimony statewide before making recommendations for the 2026 legislative session. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. in the President’s Dining Room at Mercer University and will be livestreamed.
