MACON, Ga. — On Tuesday, Governor Brian Kemp signed sweeping expansions and changes to Georgia’s medical cannabis regulations into state law.

Senate Bill 220, otherwise known and the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act”, changes who qualifies for medical cannabis, how they can use it, and more.

In Central Georgia, one Macon medical cannabis producer is celebrating the bill’s transition to law. Will Kacheris is the General Manager at Fine Fettle’s medical cannabis production facility, and says he’s hopeful the legislation will mean more people looking to cannabis for relief.

“It’s gonna help a lot of people,” Kacheris said.

Under previous Georgia law, many patients whose conditions qualified them for medical cannabis still could not use it unless their condition was “severe” or “end stage.” New regulations remove those qualifications, and also adds lupus to the list of conditions that qualify for cannabis.

Senate Bill 220 also clears up how much cannabis content patients can have, allowing products with 12,000 milligrams for less of THC. Something Kacheris says will provide more clarification for patients.

“It provides a lot more clarity to the patient and it allows them to better find a product that works for them,” Kacheris said.

The new law also allows vaping medical cannabis for users older than 21, which was previously prohibited. Kacheris says his facility is currently providing products like lotions and soft chews. However, the company’s President, Judson Hill, confirmed to 13WMAZ that they plan to add vapes to their product line.

Kacheris says vapes can provide instant relief to some patients with certain conditions.

“It’s for the instant relief factor to patients. A lot of the illnesses that are covered have flare ups, symptoms that come on quickly. They’re very painful and being able to quickly alleviate that pain or treat it in a way that works for them is gonna be a game changer for people,” Kacheris said.

Kacheris is also hopeful the new regulations will mean more patients looking to medical cannabis for help. He says part of Fine Fettle’s goal is to normalize the product, and calls this legislation a step in that direction.

“We’re just hoping people are open to the idea and that if it works for them, it works for them,” Kacheris said.

Recreational marijuana is still illegal in the state of Georgia.