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GeorgiaSB 2202025-2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

"Putting Georgia's Patients First Act"; enact

Sponsored By: Lee Anderson (Republican), Brandon Beach (Republican), Matt Brass (Republican), Russ Goodman (Republican), Bo Hatchett (Republican), Billy Hickman (Republican), Mike Hodges (Republican), Kim Jackson (Democrat), Harold Jones II (Democrat), Emanuel Jones (Democrat), David Lucas (Democrat), Josh McLaurin (Democrat), Colton Moore (Republican), Elena Parent (Democrat), Sheikh Rahman (Democrat), Freddie Powell Sims (Democrat), Brian Strickland (Republican), Carden Summers (Republican), Rick Williams (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Regulated IndustriesHealth and Human ServicesGeneral Bill

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Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 2 costs, 5 mixed.

Broader cannabis eligibility, stricter doctor rules

More conditions qualify for medical cannabis, including cancer other than nonmetastatic skin cancer, and several disease-stage limits are removed. Inflammatory bowel disease replaces Crohn's disease, Stage III HIV replaces severe or end-stage AIDS, and lupus is added. Patients' symptoms must be expected to improve, and likely benefits must outweigh health risks. Certifying doctors must be licensed under Georgia's medical practice law and have their main practice in Georgia.

More caregivers can help cannabis patients

Caregivers include parents, guardians, or legal custodians of patients under 18, and willing adults chosen by patients. A healthcare institution also qualifies when the patient receives care there and it agrees to allow cannabis possession and use. The Department of Public Health must issue cards to caregivers who meet these requirements. Caregivers legally authorized to possess and use medical cannabis count as registered patients. Patients and eligible caregivers can receive products from licensed dispensers or directly from Georgia's medical cannabis commission.

New cannabis limits and patient penalties

Registered patients can possess, purchase, or control products totaling up to 12,000 milligrams of THC, replacing the former 20-fluid-ounce limit. Products must be in pharmaceutical containers labeled by the manufacturer with the THC amount in milligrams. Georgia patients need a physical or electronic state registration card. Out-of-state cards work only when that state allows the same possession and the holder has been in Georgia fewer than 45 days. Noncompliance by registered patients brings misdemeanor punishment, while amounts above 12,000 milligrams trigger Georgia's controlled-substance penalties.

Longer cannabis cards and easier registration

Medical cannabis cards last five years from issuance, even when unused. Annual certification of the continued diagnosis remains required, except for patients with incurable or irreversible conditions. Patients and caregivers can choose physical cards, electronic cards, or both; electronic issuance depends on state funding. Eligible applicants can purchase upon receiving an electronic card, and the warning waiver is no longer required. The Department of Public Health cannot impose excessive or unnecessary card rules or fees that unduly burden patient and caregiver access.

Legal protection for authorized cannabis activities

Covered hemp and medical cannabis are excluded from specified controlled-substance definitions when held by someone legally authorized to possess or control them. Pharmacies and pharmacists dispensing lawfully to a patient's caregiver, parent, or guardian receive protection from arrest, prosecution, and civil or administrative penalties. Protection also covers denial of rights or privileges. Licensees and their workers, contractors, or agents receive these protections for authorized production, manufacturing, distribution, transport, or sale. They must follow the medical cannabis law, and workers or agents must have proper identification and be linked to authorized activities.

Patients face limits on cannabis use

No one can use medical cannabis by smoking or burning it. Vaporizing is exempt from that ban, but people age 21 or younger cannot vaporize medical cannabis. No one can ingest medical cannabis or its products in any manner in a public place.

Tighter location rules for cannabis sellers

Medical cannabis licensees cannot operate within 3,000 feet of schools, early care programs, or places of public religious worship that predate their licensing. Distance is measured from property line to property line; this replaces the separate 1,000-foot rule for dispensing licensees. Beginning July 1, 2026, dispensing licenses cannot be issued where retail liquor sales are banned, except State Board of Pharmacy licenses. Local governments can use existing zoning powers to allow other dispensing locations when needed to serve registered patients living there.

Broader medical cannabis, capped product packages

Medical cannabis includes the cannabis plant and its parts or derivatives, whether growing or not. The definition excludes federally approved drug products and hemp or hemp products. Covered commercial products can contain no more than 1,200 milligrams of THC per package. The product definition excludes hemp products and cannabis foods, including cookies and candies.

Research cannabis access comes with limits

Listed participants and personnel in qualifying Georgia research programs, clinical trials, or studies can possess, purchase, or control medical cannabis products. Eligible people include participants, their parents, guardians or legal custodians, and designated research workers and listed program partners. Products can contain up to 12,000 milligrams of THC in total. They must be in pharmaceutical containers labeled by the manufacturer with the THC amount in milligrams. People who do not comply face misdemeanor punishment.

More cannabis education, but advertising stays banned

Georgia's medical cannabis commission can publish materials and educate the public, law enforcement, and healthcare providers about the program and effective uses. Licensees can share information with healthcare providers and explain legal and safe uses to registered patients. Licensees still cannot advertise or market cannabis to patients or the public. Their information cannot be false or misleading, and medical claims need reliable scientific evidence. It cannot appeal to children or directly or indirectly target anyone under 21.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Lee Anderson

    Republican • Senate

  • Brandon Beach

    Republican • Senate

  • Matt Brass

    Republican • Senate

  • Russ Goodman

    Republican • Senate

  • Bo Hatchett

    Republican • Senate

  • Billy Hickman

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Hodges

    Republican • Senate

  • Kim Jackson

    Democrat • Senate

  • Harold Jones II

    Democrat • Senate

  • Emanuel Jones

    Democrat • Senate

  • David Lucas

    Democrat • Senate

  • Josh McLaurin

    Democrat • Senate

  • Colton Moore

    Republican • Senate

  • Elena Parent

    Democrat • Senate

  • Sheikh Rahman

    Democrat • Senate

  • Freddie Powell Sims

    Democrat • Senate

  • Brian Strickland

    Republican • Senate

  • Carden Summers

    Republican • Senate

  • Rick Williams

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Mark Newton

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 479 • No: 226

House vote • 3/23/2026

Agree to Senate Amend to House Sub

Yes: 144 • No: 21 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

ADOPTION OF AMEND #1A BY SEN FROM THE 6TH TO AMEND #1 BY SEN FROM THE 6TH

Yes: 36 • No: 15 • Other: 3

Senate vote • 3/18/2026

AGREE TO HOUSE SUBSTITUTE AS AMENDED

Yes: 38 • No: 14 • Other: 2

House vote • 3/12/2026

PASSAGE

Yes: 138 • No: 21 • Other: 7

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #4 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 29TH

Yes: 12 • No: 43 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #1 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 37TH

Yes: 12 • No: 44

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

PASSAGE BY SUBSTITUTE

Yes: 39 • No: 17

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #2 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 6TH

Yes: 47 • No: 8 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

ADOPTION OF AMENDMENT #3 BY THE SENATOR FROM THE 23RD

Yes: 13 • No: 43

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective Date

    7/1/2026

  2. Senate Date Signed by Governor

    5/12/2026Senate

  3. Act 712

    5/12/2026

  4. Senate Sent to Governor

    4/10/2026Senate

  5. House Agreed Senate Amend or Sub

    3/23/2026House

  6. Senate Agreed House Amend or Sub As Amended

    3/18/2026Senate

  7. House Third Readers

    3/12/2026House

  8. House Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/12/2026House

  9. House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/10/2026House

  10. House Withdrawn, Recommitted

    4/4/2025House

  11. House Committee Favorably Reported

    3/20/2025House

  12. House Second Readers

    3/11/2025House

  13. House First Readers

    3/10/2025House

  14. Senate Third Read

    3/6/2025Senate

  15. Senate Passed/Adopted By Substitute

    3/6/2025Senate

  16. Senate Read Second Time

    2/28/2025Senate

  17. Senate Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute

    2/27/2025Senate

  18. Senate Read and Referred

    2/20/2025Senate

  19. Senate Hopper

    2/19/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • SB 220/AP* (v24)

    PDF

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