ATLANTA, Ga. — Gov. Brian Kemp has signed a bill that significantly expands access to medical cannabis and the types of products dispensaries can offer.
Currently, dispensaries can offer cannabis products in pill, tincture and some edible forms. The new law allows the sale of vape products to patients.
According to cannabis advocacy organization NORML, Senate Bill 220 does the following:
— Replaces all statutory references to “low THC oil” with “medical cannabis.”
— Expands the list of qualifying medical conditions to include people diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease and lupus. It also eases requirements for patients with multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions.
— Removes an existing 5 percent THC cap on cannabis products and instead permits patients to “possess a product or products containing a cumulative total of 12,000 milligrams or less of THC.”
— All products must be packaged in a pharmaceutical container specifying the amount of THC they contain.
— Permits patients older than 21 to vaporize cannabis products. Patients would not be permitted to smoke botanical cannabis, also known as flower or bud.
— Prohibits public use of medical cannabis products.
In his signing statement, Kemp acknowledged public concerns about the expansion of medical cannabis. He said he does not believe the medical cannabis program will inevitably lead to the legalization of recreational cannabis use in Georgia.
“I, like many of those who expressed opposition to this bill, have reservations about the legalization of recreational cannabis,” he said. “Many states that have legalized recreational cannabis have come to regret that decision. I also recognize that for some patients, medical cannabis provides significant relief to symptoms that would otherwise go untreated or would be treated with even more harmful opioids.”
Alex Diamond, general manager of Fine Fettle, a cannabis dispensary in Decatur, said the bill is a boon for medical cannabis patients.
“The community has been in need of better medicine in the medical cannabis program for quite some time,” he said.
He said the company will be able to offer vape products “in a way that is professional and exciting” starting July 1.
“We finally have medical vape products that are going to be lab tested in Georgia and grown in Georgia, manufactured in Georgia,” he said. “Everything is in-state. We are very excited about that.”
People who want to learn more about registering for a medical cannabis card can visit dph.georgia.gov/low-thc-oil-registry and gmcc.ga.gov/patients/patient-resources.
This story was provided by WABE media partner Decaturish.
