Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper has welcomed the introduction of two pieces of legislation dealing with consumable hemp products in his state.
Many US states are grappling with issues relating to the popularity of hemp-derived THC products such as delta-8 and delta-10, which can be created by manipulating the non-intoxicating cannabinoid CBD (cannabidiol) and exploit a loophole in federal and state laws.
The situation was put to a legal test last year in Georgia after a seizure of edible products containing delta-8 and delta-10-tetrahydrocannibol products was challenged. The result was Georgia’s Court of Appeals ruling that edible products containing Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC aren’t controlled substances in that state.
But lawmakers have been busy drafting legislation to deal with the situation and it appears Georgia is set to follow a route towards regulation rather than outright banning hemp-derived THC. Two bills have been recently introduced – Senator Randy Robertson’s SB 437 and Representatives Clay Pirkle’s HB 1127.
Their introduction has been welcomed by Georgia’s Department of Agriculture.
“The Georgia Department of Agriculture fully supports the passage of these commonsense, bipartisan public safety and consumer protection measures related to consumable hemp products in Georgia,” said Commissioner Tyler last week. “These bills will prohibit the sale of consumable hemp products to individuals under 21, reduce product contamination, and require all products be tested and labelled to accurately reflect their contents.”
Under SB 437, any person owning or operating a place of business in which any consumable hemp product is offered for sale will also be required to place signage in conspicuous place indicating the sale of such products to individuals under the age of 21 years is prohibited by law.
The full text of S.B. 437 can be found here, and full text of H.B. 1127 is available here.
Georgia has a medical cannabis program that launched last year – but it only authorizes the legal possession of low THC oil by registered patients with a valid Low-THC Oil Registry Card. There are currently just eight dispensaries across the state where registered patients can buy products.
