Georgia Senate Passes Medical Cannabis Expansion and Hemp Product Restrictions

6 March 2025

In a decisive move to reshape Georgia’s cannabis and hemp industries, the state Senate approved three bills that increase access to medical cannabis while imposing tighter restrictions on hemp-derived products. Senate Bill 220, the Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act, passed in a 39-17 vote, raising the THC content allowed in medical cannabis from 5% to 50% and permitting patients to use vaporizers. The bill also expands eligibility by adding lupus and inflammatory bowel disease to the list of qualifying conditions and removes the requirement that conditions such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease must be in a severe or end-stage state to qualify for medical cannabis.

While SB 220 expands medical access, Senate Bills 33 and 254 impose new regulations on hemp-derived products. SB 33, passed in a 50-6 vote, requires stricter testing and labeling of chemical compounds such as delta-8 and delta-10 THC, limiting the total concentration of intoxicating cannabinoids in consumable hemp products to 0.3%. SB 254, passed in a 42-14 vote, initially sought to cap THC in beverages at 5 mg per serving but was amended to ban all THC-infused drinks entirely. It also places limits on THC levels in other hemp-based products, restricting gummies to 10 mg per serving and 150 mg per container, while capping tinctures at 1 mg of THC per milliliter.

These bills now move to the House for further debate before the legislative session ends on April 4.

Listen to the podcast for more details: