If you’re a Georgia medical cannabis patient or physician, you’re likely aware that Georgia recently passed Senate Bill 220, known as the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act.” A massive expansion on the state’s medical cannabis program, the bill includes new THC limits, redefines certain terms, and expands the qualifying condition criteria, among other key changes. We’ve put together a guide for what patients and providers need to know about SB220 so you can continue to receive or provide medical cannabis without any issues.
What do Georgia medical cannabis patients need to know about SB220?
Our Georgia medical marijuana dispensary has kept up with all the news and developments. Here’s what you need to know:
More patients may qualify for Georgia medical marijuana
If you’re a Georgia patient worried about your medical cannabis access, don’t worry. The recent changes add more flexibility to what doctors can recommend, meaning more patients may qualify for medical cannabis. If you previously didn’t qualify for a Georgia medical cannabis card, you might fit the criteria now.
For many conditions, terms like “severe” and “end-stage” have been removed, expanding access to more patients with symptoms at all stages of a disease or condition. Additionally, lupus has been added to the list of qualifying conditions.
Dosing is safer and clearer
This is no longer a “Low THC Oil” program. All references to “Low THC Oil” have been removed and replaced by “Georgia Medical Cannabis.” Rather than measure products by THC percentage, Georgia medical cannabis products will now be measured in milligrams similar to other medications.
Additionally, products are now capped at 1,200 mg of THC. This new dosing requirement ensures consistency and is more aligned with other medications.
Updated purchase limits
The old Georgia medical marijuana rules used a “fluid ounce” system. Now, the rules allow for up to 10 packages totaling up to 12,000 mg of THC. This purchase limit is considered to be about a two-week supply.
Georgia medical marijuana patients can vape now
Vaporization is now permitted for patients aged 21 and older. The new rule benefits patients needing rapid relief, allowing vaporization of flower and oil. Patients are not allowed to smoke any medical cannabis products.
Private consumption only
Georgia cannabis patients may only use products at home or in private settings. Even with a medical marijuana card, public consumption is prohibited.
What do physicians need to know about SB220?
As we mentioned earlier, the “Putting Georgia’s Patient’s First Act” expands the criteria for a medical marijuana card by removing “severe” and “end-stage” from many conditions.
New reporting rules
The Georgia Medical Cannabis Program no longer requires twice-yearly patient reporting. In the past, physicians had to report data in April and October of each year. Now, physicians only need to report once a year, eliminating the amount of necessary administrative work.
What is SB220, the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act?”
In March of this year, a bill meant to modernize the Georgia medical cannabis program passed in the House in a 138-21 vote.
The changes reflect feedback from a recent examination of the program, in which the House study committee concluded that the program needed updates to successfully serve patients and providers.
The new rules allowing patients to vape came from physicians who highlighted the fact that people with seizures and other conditions require more access to fast-acting forms of cannabis.
“The oral forms were taking one to two hours, sometimes four hours, to have an effect. Some people’s conditions, we heard from patients, need some relief more rapidly than that, and so the inhalation version takes care of that,” said Rep. Mark Newton, co-sponsor of the bill and an Augusta Republican.
Visit our Georgia cannabis dispensary
We hope this guide helps to clarify the new rules under SB220. It’s a lot of new information to take in, so feel free to ask our Georgia dispensary team for any clarification. We’re happy to answer any questions and guide you toward the right products for your needs.
Want to learn more? Check out our Georgia medical cannabis guide.
