Recent legislative changes in Georgia are drawing attention as the state continues to debate cannabis and hemp regulation. The Georgia Senate recently passed two bills to tighten rules on hemp products. One bill bans THC-infused drinks, while the other limits intoxicating hemp components like Delta-8 THC to 0.3 percent, potentially affecting many current products on the market.
According to FOX 5 Atlanta, these measures aim to improve consumer protection. State Sen. Bill Cowsert, who sponsored the THC drink ban, said,"We are putting loaded guns in people's hands in the form of a can or a gummy, and we need to protect them. We need to keep it away from children." However, some hemp industry representatives, like Tom Church, have criticized law enforcement actions, calling them an overreaction to a minor issue. Both bills still need to pass through the House before becoming law.
At the same time, Georgia is looking to Colorado's experience with cannabis. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on Dr. Greg Tung of the Colorado School of Public Health, who cautioned about the increasing THC levels. He noted that the belief that cannabis is harmless is outdated and inaccurate. Tung stressed the risks of using cannabis while driving or during pregnancy, advising that both should be avoided.
In addition to these bills, the Georgia Senate also approved a bill to expand access to medical marijuana. Sen. Matt Brass, who sponsored the bill, stressed the difference between medical cannabis use and casual consumption for recreational purposes.
