Hemp Under Fire: Legislation is Killing the Hemp Industry Panel Discussion

If Georgia’s pending legislation passes, the only winners will be the legal Marijuana Businesses.

Georgia bill (Senate Bill 350) would raise the legal age to purchase or possess consumable hemp products from 18 to 21. This bill requires hemp customers to present proper identification at the register before purchase making it illegal for anyone to sell, furnish, or cause to be furnished, hemp products to anyone under the age of 21.

The bill does not include products that contain low (THC) oil, which are regulated by the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission. Patients on the Georgia Low THC Oil Patient Registry can access medical cannabis oil products from licensed dispensaries with a valid pharmaceutical card.

The proposed bill could affect Georgia cannabis retailers in different ways, depending on the type of products they sell and the customer base they serve.

Some possible impacts are:

Hemp retailers that sell consumable hemp products, such as CBD oils, edibles, and beverages, could lose a portion of their customers who are between 18 and 21 years old. They could also face increased compliance costs and risks associated with verifying the age of their customers and following the new regulations.

Medical cannabis dispensaries that sell low THC oil products could see an increase in demand from patients who are between 18 and 21 years old and seek alternative products to hemp. They could also benefit from having a clear distinction between their products and hemp products in terms of legal status and access.

– Recreational cannabis retailers that sell high THC products, such as marijuana flowers, concentrates, and vapes, could be unaffected by the bill, as recreational cannabis is still illegal in Georgia. However, they could face increased competition from neighboring states that have legalized recreational cannabis, such as Florida and Alabama.