Marijuana legislation has become a significant focus in the Georgia Senate this session, with lawmakers successfully passing three important bills just before the Crossover Day deadline. Two of these measures aim to tighten regulations on THC products, while the third seeks to expand access to medical cannabis.
Senate Bill 33 and Senate Bill 254 are designed to restrict what can be legally sold at convenience stores and smoke shops. Specifically, SB 33, introduced by Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, R-Marietta, will add certain “intoxicating cannabinoids,” including Delta-8, Delta-10, and Delta-11, to the existing regulation that governs Delta-9 THC. This bill ensures that these substances are subject to a THC concentration limit of 0.3% and mandates random state inspections of consumable hemp products. Kirkpatrick emphasized that this bill is a consumer protection measure aimed at enhancing safety by addressing contamination risks from producers, particularly those overseas. The bill passed with significant support, achieving a vote of 50-6.
The third bill, Senate Bill 220, led by Sen. Matt Brass, R-Newnan, modifies and expands access to medical marijuana. This legislation proposes to increase the legal concentration of cannabidiol (CBD) in dispensed medical cannabis from 5% to 50%, while simultaneously reducing the allowable possession limit from five ounces to two ounces. This adjustment means patients will receive higher doses of CBD without changing the total amount they can possess. Brass noted the urgency of providing patients with timely relief, especially for those who may need quicker results from their medication.
SB 220 also includes provisions to add cancer and Lupus to the list of conditions eligible for medical cannabis prescriptions. Furthermore, it removes the requirement that existing conditions, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease, be severe or end-stage to qualify for treatment. The bill allows pharmacies to dispense medical cannabis to parents and designated caregivers for adults. Despite some opposition from fellow Republicans, including Sen. Ed Setzler, who expressed concerns about the health impacts of marijuana, the bill passed with a vote of 39-17, aided by support from Democratic senators.
Overall, the passage of these bills marks a significant step in Georgia’s approach to marijuana legislation, reflecting a balance between regulation and access to medical benefits for patients.
