Georgia Expands Medical Cannabis Access
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently signed Senate Bill 220 or the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First” Act, which is a bill that expands on Georgia’s existing Patient-First Act. medical cannabis access In the state. This legislation was approved by Governor Kemp. Kemp, who approved the bill on Tuesday, introduced new qualification conditions, permitted additional consumption techniques, and modified the state’s THC Potency Regulations for registered patients.
SB 220 will allow patients with Lupus to access medical marijuana. It builds on existing law in the state that allows access to people with cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and autism spectrum disorder. This bill is sponsored by Senator Matt Brass and removes requirements for patients with many conditions to be classified in a severe or terminal stage before they can enter the program.
Revisions to the Potency and Delivery Methods Regulations
The law expands on the methods of medical cannabis use. Prior to the new law, medical cannabis was only available in oils, tinctures or capsules. Also, there were no topical patches. SB 220 permits the use of vaping by patients 21 and older while still maintaining the smoking ban for all other patients.
The law also changes the THC limit for each state. This replaces the old 5 percent THC limit for medical cannabis products by a new cap of 12,000 mg of THC per patient. The regulatory focus shifts from the concentration of the product to the total amount held by the patients.
Initiatives for Regulatory Oversight & Public Awareness
Under SB 220, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission will be given new duties. It is responsible for the oversight of the program in the state. The duties will include conducting activities to raise public awareness about the benefits of using medical cannabis products and other related products. The mandate includes publishing material and initiating public education and outreach efforts in order to educate the public and law enforcement about the medical cannabis program of the state and the potential benefits it can provide for qualified patients.
Governor Kemp, in a statement signed at the signing ceremony, acknowledged that these changes were significant for patients and noted they did not fundamentally change Georgia’s policy on cannabis. In a signing statement, Kemp stated that “this bill was passed by a constitutional majority in both chambers.” Kemp reiterated the reservations he had about the recreational legalization of cannabis. This was in contrast to the medical cannabis program.
Disclaimer: The article provided here is only for informative purposes and not intended to be a medical recommendation. Hemp Gazette is not a medical provider and does not offer diagnoses or treatment plans. Consult a healthcare professional before you make any decision regarding your health. The Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia (TGA) has not evaluated any statements regarding the therapeutic use of cannabis or hemp-derived products. TGA regulates the access to medical cannabis in Australia.