Georgia One Step Away from Overhauling Medical Marijuana Program
The Georgia House of Representatives has approved a bill that aims to revamp the state’s medical marijuana program, making it more patient-friendly. The “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act” now awaits the signature of Governor Brian Kemp to become law.
Currently, Georgia’s medical marijuana program is limited to “low THC oil” products with a cap of 5% THC. However, this designation has caused confusion among patients and healthcare professionals, leading to a lack of understanding about the products’ quality and effectiveness. The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission has reported that patients often express a desire for “the real stuff” and not the “low THC oil” products.
The new bill seeks to address this issue by renaming the category from “low THC oil” to “medical cannabis” and removing the THC percentage cap. Instead, products containing a cumulative total of 12,000 milligrams or less of THC would be allowed. This change would provide patients with more flexibility and options for their treatment.
Additionally, the bill would allow patients 21 years old or older to vape medical cannabis, a previously unapproved method of consumption. The bill would also update the list of eligible conditions for medical marijuana treatment, removing some limitations and adding lupus to the list of qualifying conditions.
If signed into law, Georgia would join 40 other states in allowing medical marijuana use, while keeping recreational use illegal. The bill is seen as a significant step forward in providing patients with more access to medical cannabis and improving the overall quality of life for those who rely on it for treatment.
