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The first medical cannabis dispensary in Georgia opened in Marietta on April 28, 2023. (FOX 5)
ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bipartisan measure Tuesday that rebrands "low THC oil" as medical cannabis and significantly expands the rules for patients in Georgia.
The measure significantly increases the potency of medical cannabis and expands the list of conditions that qualify patients for the drug.
What we know:
The new law, officially called the "Putting Georgia's Patients First Act," removes the previous 5% THC potency cap on medical products. Patients are now allowed to have up to 12,000 milligrams of medical cannabis if it is kept in labeled pharmaceutical containers.
It also broadens the types of products dispensaries can sell, including edibles, gummies, and vaporized flower.
The act also expands the registry to include conditions like lupus, autism, Stage III HIV, severe Alzheimer's disease, and inflammatory bowel disease. Patients with incurable or irreversible conditions no longer have to go through annual certification requirements.
What we don’t know:
While the law requires the Department of Public Health to create rules for electronic registration cards, it is not clear when the full shift to digital cards will be finished. The specific "reliable scientific evidence" needed to support medical claims made by licensees to doctors has also not been detailed.
What they’re saying:
Cancer survivor Alyson Wages, who uses cannabis to treat nerve damage, is grateful for the increased potency. "Thank God. It’s finally here," she said.
Trial lawyer Tom Church said the law significantly increases the potency and variety of products available to those in need. Fine Fettle Dispensary President Judson Hill added that the change allows patients to get access sooner to treat their conditions effectively.
Big picture view:
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission now has expanded powers to study best practices and coordinate with state health officials. The commission will oversee a "seed-to-sale" tracking system to monitor all cannabis grown and sold in the state.
Licensees who fail to follow commission rules can face fines of up to $25,000 for a first offense. The commission is also tasked with conducting public awareness activities regarding the effective use of medical cannabis.
By the numbers:
What’s next:
State officials must create rules to implement ingestion laws by Jan. 1, 2027. The law specifically bans smoking or burning medical cannabis but allows for vaporization for people over age 21.
Using medical cannabis in public places remains prohibited. This includes the use of any heating element or electronic device in public areas.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the full text of Georgia Senate Bill 220 and reports from the General Assembly, which outlined the expanded medical cannabis access signed into law by the governor.
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