Georgia Governor Enacts New Hemp Cultivation and Regulation Law

LOS ANGELES- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has signed into law a legislative package aimed at supporting the state’s agricultural sector, which includes new regulations for the hemp industry. The laws introduce a comprehensive framework for the licensing, cultivation, manufacturing, and retail of hemp products in Georgia.

The centerpiece of the legislative package, SB 494, empowers the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) with enhanced oversight and enforcement capabilities concerning hemp cultivation. It establishes stringent licensing requirements for growers and vendors of low-THC hemp products, including an age restriction that limits the sale and possession of hemp products to individuals aged 21 and over.

This regulatory update also introduces new standards for labeling, packaging, and marketing, specifically designed to protect children from misleading advertisements and potentially hazardous products. All hemp products in Georgia will now require a “full panel certificate of analysis” to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards.

Governor Kemp underscored the importance of the agricultural sector to Georgia’s economy and highlighted the new law’s role in safeguarding against foreign threats to agricultural land and increasing penalties for livestock theft. The law also addresses other significant issues, including measures against fentanyl-laced drugs and career burnout among healthcare professionals.

The new regulatory framework for hemp aligns with federal adjustments made following the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp-derived products under federal law. Georgia’s legislative adjustments are set to bolster the rapidly growing hemp industry, which has been expanding its footprint beyond metropolitan areas, promising economic opportunities statewide.

This legislative move reflects a broader national trend towards more regulated and economically integrated hemp cultivation, which has been embraced by multiple states since the federal legalization of hemp products. The licensing and regulatory requirements are expected to take effect in stages, with retail provisions starting July 1 and broader regulations becoming active on October 1, 2024.