Georgia Governor Signs Bill to Expand Medical Marijuana Access
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed a bill to expand medical marijuana access in the state, allowing patients to vaporize cannabis and adding new qualifying conditions. The bill, SB 220, also removes the requirement for certain conditions to be severe or end-stage to qualify for the program.
Under the new law, patients with lupus will be able to access medical marijuana, in addition to those with conditions such as cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and others. The bill also expands the delivery methods for medical marijuana, allowing patients over 21 to use vaporizers, in addition to oils, tinctures, capsules, and other methods.
The bill also increases the THC potency limit for medical cannabis products, allowing patients to possess up to 12,000 milligrams of THC at a time. Additionally, the bill replaces references to “low THC oil” with “medical cannabis” in current law.
Governor Kemp expressed reservations about the legalization of recreational cannabis, but acknowledged that medical cannabis can provide significant relief to patients. He noted that the bill does not address recreational use and that a well-implemented medical cannabis program does not necessarily lead to the legalization of recreational use.
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission will also be responsible for conducting public awareness activities about the medical cannabis program and its benefits. The state has also considered legislation to support research on the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.
The signing of this bill marks a significant expansion of medical marijuana access in Georgia, and it is expected to provide relief to many patients who were previously unable to access the treatment.
