Peach Tree Times

State officials and agencies in Georgia continue their efforts to support residents recovering from Hurricane Helene. At the same time, Governor Brian Kemp, Commissioner Tyler Harper, and Colonel Billy Hitchens issued a reminder about the upcoming enforcement of the Georgia Hemp Farming Act. The law, which includes public safety restrictions on hemp products manufactured and sold in Georgia, will take effect on October 1.

The General Assembly passed the act in March. The law introduces age restrictions on the possession of consumable hemp products and mandates that retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers obtain a license to operate within the state. It also includes other testing and regulatory requirements.

As of October 1, it will be illegal to sell consumable hemp products to individuals under 21 years old. Additionally, those under 21 will not be allowed to purchase or possess these products. These new restrictions aim to protect young Georgians' health and safety.

“Here in Georgia, the safety of our residents is top priority, especially that of our children and young people,” said Governor Kemp. “Consumable hemp products are dangerous to minors and unregulated hemp products are a danger to all Georgians. Knowing these dangers, I want consumers to be aware of these new laws and know that all law enforcement officers in the State will be enforcing them starting October 1st. I’m grateful to the General Assembly for passing this legislation that puts in place necessary guardrails to protect Georgia’s children and communities as this industry evolves and want to thank the Department of Agriculture and all public safety agencies across Georgia for working hard to implement this new framework effectively.”

“Our team at the Georgia Department of Agriculture was proud to work with Governor Kemp, the General Assembly, and other Law Enforcement Agencies from across the state to protect Georgia consumers and children by establishing much-needed guardrails for consumable hemp products in our state,” said Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “The laws regarding under-21 sales and the sale of raw flower products are very straightforward and will be strictly enforced by our Law Enforcement and Hemp Program Divisions as well as other state and local law enforcement starting October 1st.”

“Through our traffic enforcement across Georgia, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is committed to applying the new law set by the General Assembly and strongly supported by Governor Kemp regarding limitations placed on consumable hemp products,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens III, DPS Commissioner. “We take the safety of our residents and visitors seriously and will carry out our duties which will include enforcing the restrictions set by the Georgia Hemp Farming Act.”

The law introduces necessary public safety measures following Congress legalizing hemp production through its inclusion in the 2018 Farm Bill. Hemp is a cannabis plant containing small amounts of psychoactive cannabinoid delta-9 THC alongside other natural cannabinoids used medicinally. Consumable hemp products like oils, gummies, and beverages have been sold with little oversight or quality control standards.

State law enforcement agencies urge citizens and public safety officers alike to familiarize themselves with these new restrictions along with proposed rules from Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper outlining comprehensive standards for hemp production.

A copy of The Georgia Hemp Farming Act can be found here along with proposed rules from The Department Of Agriculture regarding Hemp here.

It should be noted that this act does not affect Georgia's medical cannabis program or patients registered under its Low-THC Oil registry.