New Georgia hemp law makes some cannabis products illegal. Here’s what to know
If you’re a cannabis product user in Georgia, listen up. There are some important changes coming to Georgia’s hemp laws.
In late April, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed Bill 494 into law and it further regulates the sale of all hemp products in the Peach State. New regulations cover everything from who can buy cannabis products to the way the products are advertised, where the stores are located and even pulling some products from shelves.
Let’s take a look.
When does the new law go into effect?
Although some parts of the law regarding licensing went into effect during the month of July, the entire law will be in effect on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. This includes age restrictions, the legality of some cannabis products and strict rules for the advertising of all products.
What are the new age restrictions?
The new law has banned the sale of CBD and cannabis products to anyone under the age of 21.
Kemp made this change as there were several concerns over the advertising of several hemp products that were made to look like popular children’s snacks. So, the age restriction is also paired with strict rules for advertising products.
The law says that no product should be “attractive to children” or look like any existing brand and all products must be “tamper evident and child resistant.”
In addition, the new law has made it illegal to operate any hemp store “within 500 feet of any educational institution, public or private, providing elementary or secondary education to children at any level.”
What does the hemp law say about which products will be removed from shelves?
The law makes it illegal to sell CBD or cannabis in the form of a “food product,” such as chocolate or in the form of an alcoholic beverage. However, gummies are still legal as well as oils that aren’t a part of any food product.
For store owners, all products that fall under the category of “food product” must be removed from store shelves immediately.
Do you have any more questions about this new hemp law? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
