Georgia lawmakers are reviewing the future of hemp and marijuana products in the state, and opinions are sharply divided. During a recent legislative study committee meeting, people from both sides of the debate shared their experiences and concerns, laying the groundwork for possible policy updates in the state.
On one side, critics pointed to mental health risks, especially for young users. Several parents told lawmakers that their children developed schizophrenia after using high-potency cannabis products bought over the counter. One mother, who asked to remain anonymous, said her son had a discount code he used frequently at a local store. “This is the biggest regulatory oversight I’ve ever seen,” she said.
Psychiatrist Dr. Colin Murphy added that rising potency levels are contributing to cannabis-induced psychosis, particularly among teens. Others agreed, saying the availability of high-strength cannabis products was harming vulnerable groups.
Medical cannabis advocates, on the other hand, shared powerful personal stories about how marijuana had changed their lives. Georgia Medical Cannabis Society co-founder Yolanda Bennet, who has a hormonal condition, credited marijuana with helping her manage pain without needing to rely on addictive opioids.
The hearing comes after the state legislature failed to reach an agreement earlier this year on proposals to increase medical cannabis potency and to prohibit hemp-infused drinks. Now, the study committee is seeking additional input before deciding how to proceed.
Much of the confusion stems from overlapping federal and state rules. While marijuana remains illegal at the federal level, Georgia allows limited medical use with a doctor’s approval. Meanwhile, hemp became legal under the 2018 Farm Bill, allowing products with THC content below 0.3% by dry weight. That change opened the door to a flood of new products like hemp-infused drinks, edibles, and oils.
The market has grown fast, and not all of it is under proper oversight. Synthetic cannabis compounds are being sold without much regulation. Last year, Georgia’s agriculture department started taking enforcement more seriously, but the landscape remains difficult to monitor.
The department’s policy director, Katherine Russell, explained that innovation is moving faster than the laws. She cited a Florida-based company creating CBD from orange peels, which could sidestep existing laws entirely. “You can write laws to regulate marijuana,” she said, “but if someone finds a different way to make CBD, those laws might not apply.”
The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for August 21.
The debates on how to regulate hemp products and marijuana are happening in many states around the country, and major industry firms like Aurora Cannabis Inc. (NASDAQ: ACB) (TSX: ACB) are keenly following these discussions wherever they are taking place.
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