For better or for worse, Q1 of 2025 has been an active period for cannabis legislation in Georgia. After years on the backburner, cannabis has finally become a focal point for Georgia lawmakers. Early last month, the Georgia Senate passed three bills effecting Georgians’ access to hemp and medical cannabis prior to Georgia’s 2025 crossover day, which is the deadline for legislation to pass out of at least one chamber to remain alive in the legislative session set to end on April 4, 2025.

Two of these bills, Senate Bill 254 and Senate Bill 33, are aimed at restricting access to recreational hemp products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient found in the cannabis plant, responsible for producing the “high effect” — while, the third bill, Senate Bill 220, would expand access to medical patients seeking treatment through Georgia’s “Low THC Oil Registry.” This registry allows physicians to certify and manage patients who have a “qualifying condition” to obtain Low THC Oil legally. 

Starting with the first two pieces of legislation, SB 254 and SB 33 would limit what is legally available at retail shopsstatewide by restricting the legal potency of all consumable hemp products, including gummies and tinctures, as well as imposing a complete ban of all THC-infused hemp beverages pursuant to SB 254. Georgia Republican senator, Bill Cowsert of Athens, who helped win passage of SB 254 banning all THC-infused drinks, stated the following regarding its passage:

“This is for public safety. You may hear other people speak on this, but these current ten-milligram beverages are like four shots of liquor, or four glasses of wine, or four beers – all in one can. So we are putting loaded guns in people’s hands in the form of a can, or a gummy. We need to protect them and keep them away from children. We need to make sure people are responsible in the use of these products.”

Additionally, SB 33 would introduce strict testing and labeling requirements for cannabinoids such as delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, and hexahydrocannabinol (HHC). All of which could be traditionally found in gas stations, convenience stores, and smoke shops across the state. Granted, the passage of these bills would effectively stifle consumer access and devastate Georgia’s hemp market, as retailers and processors face new regulatory requirements and risk of noncompliance.

Meanwhile, SB 220, otherwise known as the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act,” would expand access to medical cannabis by adding Lupus to the list of qualifying conditions and removing language requiring many of the qualifying ailments to either be terminal or late-stage. Additionally, the bill would allow for inhalation, although raw flower would continue to be banned as well as a 50% cap on THC levels. Furthermore, SB 220 would allow for reciprocity for medical cannabis cardholders of other states on a temporary basis. Such measure would allow for out-of-staters who may not qualify under Georgia’s medical registry to access Georgia medical cannabis, despite not potentially meeting Georgia’s qualifying aliments.  

While the Senate’s passing of SB 220 can be seen as an early win for those who qualify, and their loved ones, the simultaneous passing of SB 254 and SB 33 may appear to raise more questions than answers – especially for the majority of Georgia voters who believe adult-use should be legal. Perhaps the expansion of Georgia’s medical cannabis program will serve as the first and long-awaited step of many to demystifying cannabis in the Peach State.