In April 2019, Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 324 to provide patients who were already allowed to possess low-THC, high-CBD marijuana oil a legal way to access the product. The new law will establish a state-regulated dispensing system of licensed marijuana producers.

 

Government officials appointed members to the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission on November 12, 2019. The formation of the commission will now allow for the drafting of regulations to license, establish and regulate medical cannabis businesses. Regulating Department in Georgia is the Department of Public Health.

 

In December 2022, the commission submitted its final report and recommendations for establishing a state-regulating dispensing system to improve patient access to low THC medical cannabis oil they qualify for. Among its recommendations, the report proposes to allow 10 grow licenses, 10 manufacturing licenses and an “adequate number” of dispensing licenses.

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Starting October 4th of 2023, Independent pharmacies will be able to sell medicinal cannabis. This approach to medicinal cannabis is the first in the United States to do so and according to the associated press, "About 90% of Georgia's population will be within a 30-minute drive of a pharmacy selling medical marijuana when they open". To actually get cannabis from the pharmacy you must be registered with Georgia's Low THC registry.

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Application Fees/Start up costs

Class 1 Production License requires a non-refundable application fee of $25,000, an initial license fee of $200,000 and license renewal fee of $100,000.

 

Class 2 Production License requires a non-refundable application fee of $5,000, an initial license fee of $100,000 and license renewal fee of $50,000.

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Low-THC dispensing facilities are required to pay a licensing fee of anywhere from $5,000 - $30,000 depending on the tier in the county, with a annual fee of anywhere between $25,000 - $40,000 per tier.

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Dispensing License

Georgia's Dispensing License is directly correlated to the number of registered patients seeking medical treatment. This license allows for the dispensing of low-THC oil and is issued in increments of every 10,000 patients added to the registry. Each licensee can obtain up to six licenses for dispensing locations. In the future, the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission plans to introduce more licenses to accommodate the growing market. For detailed information and the application form, visit the GA Access to Medical Cannabis Commission's Dispensing License page.

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Class 1 Production License

The Class 1 Production License application submission period closed on January 27th, 2021. All available licenses have been awarded, with a total of 2 Class-1 producer licenses granted in Georgia. The licenses were officially awarded on August 5th, 2021.

As of the current update, there are no active opportunities to apply for the Class 1 Production License. The awarded licenses signify the limited number of producers authorized to manufacture low-THC oil with controlled THC levels in the state.

While the application process is currently closed, it's essential to stay informed about any future updates or changes to the licensing program. 

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Class 2 Production License

The Class 2 Production License application submission period closed on January 27th, 2021. All available licenses have been awarded, with a total of 4 Class 2 producer licenses granted in Georgia. The licenses were officially awarded on August 5th, 2021.

As of the current update, there are no active opportunities to apply for the Class 2 Production License. The awarded licenses signify the limited number of producers authorized to manufacture low-THC oil with controlled THC levels in the state.

While the application process is currently closed, it's essential to stay informed about any future updates or changes to the licensing program. Keep an eye on official announcements from the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to stay up-to-date with potential developments regarding the Class 2 Production License. 

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History

Georgia passed Haleigh’s Hope Act into law on April 16, 2015, and allows for a limited amount of medical marijuana use for low-THC cannabidiol (CBD) for qualifying patients in Georgia. 

 

Production and dispensing of CBD is currently not allowed. 

 

State Rep. Allen Peake, introduced a bill in 2016 that would have allowed for the growing and selling of medical marijuana in the state of Georgia, though it was not successful.

 

In 2017, Senate Bill 16 expanded the use list. SB 16 does not address how patients should obtain medical marijuana or provide any state system to dispense it.

 

In January 2018, Senate Bill 614 entered the State Senate seeking to decriminalize marijuana for medical and recreational use within state lines. The Joint Study Commission of Access to Low-THC Medical Oil held public meetings during August – October 2018 to improve access to cannabis oil that is currently legal for certain qualifying patients.

 

The commission submitted a final report and recommendations for establishing a state-regulating dispensing system to improve patient access to the low THC medical cannabis oil. The report proposes to allow 10 grow licenses, 10 manufacturing licenses and an “adequate number” of dispensing licenses.

 

House Bill 324 was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on April 17, 2019 to provide patients who were already allowed to possess low THC high CBD marijuana oil legal access. The new law provides a framework for a state-regulated dispensing system of licensed marijuana producers.

 

Government officials appointed members to the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission on November 12, 2019. The formation of the commission will now allow for the drafting of regulations to license, establish and regulate medical marijuana businesses. regulated by the Department of Public Health.

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Key Dates

Government officials appointed members to the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission on November 12, 2019. The formation of the commission will now allow for the drafting of regulations to license, establish and regulate medical marijuana businesses. regulated by the Department of Public Health.

 

The state is expected to issue a “Request for Applications” (RFA) for medical marijuana cultivation licenses before the end of 2019. In this first round, up to 6 cultivation licenses will be awarded to private companies seeking to grow medical marijuana in Georgia. We Ot is anticipated that the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission may begin applications for medical marijuana dispensaries in 2020.

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Limited Medical Marijuana (low-THC oil) Program Guidelines

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• Must register with the Georgia Department of Public Health and must have a registration card 

• If the patient is under 18 years of age then the parent or guardian must possess a card designating them as the patient’s caregiver.

• The medical marijuana oil must contain no more than 5% THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), and it must contain an amount of CBD (cannabidiol) that is at least equal to the amount of THC.

• The low THC oil must be in a pharmaceutical container, and the label must clearly state the percentage of THC contained therein.

• The patient may possess no more than 20 fluid ounces of low THC oil.

 

The production and sale of hemp and hemp products is legal under the Georgia Hemp Farming Act. However, only growers licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) are permitted to grow and process hemp in the state of Georgia.