SB 254: "Georgia Hemp Farming Act,"; delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products; provide milligram limits - Georgia

LC 28 0696S/hss → LC 28 0754S/hss · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was completely rewritten from a hemp regulation measure to an arcade machine regulation measure. The original version authorized liquor stores to sell hemp products, while the new version regulates coin-operated amusement machines and defines what constitutes legal gaming equipment.

Scope change

The bill's scope changed entirely from regulating hemp products and retail dealers to regulating coin-operated amusement machines and defining Class A versus Class B gaming machines.

SCOPE

All provisions related to hemp farming, hemp product packaging, advertising restrictions, and hemp sales by liquor stores were removed.

The chapter being amended changed from Chapter 23 of Title 2 (Hemp Farming Act) to Chapter 27 of Title 50 (Georgia Lottery for Education Act).

DEFINITION

New definitions were added for 'bona fide coin operated amusement machine' and 'Class A machine' to clarify what gaming equipment is legal.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added limiting Class A machine rewards to non-cash items with a maximum wholesale value of $50 per play, or $2 per play for gift cards.

ENFORCEMENT

New provisions were added to classify machines that exceed reward limits as Class B machines, which are subject to stricter regulations.

As Passed Senate → LC 28 0696S/hss · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended by the House to shift from prohibiting THC in consumable hemp beverages to allowing licensed distilled spirits retailers to sell consumable hemp products. The amendment removes the ban on hemp beverages with THC, adds a new license category for spirits retailers to sell hemp products, and modifies packaging and distribution rules to prevent hemp products from being components of alcoholic beverages.

Scope change

The bill now applies to licensed retail dealers in distilled spirits as authorized sellers of consumable hemp products, rather than broadly prohibiting certain hemp products.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed from prohibiting THC in hemp beverages to allowing licensed distilled spirits retailers to obtain new licenses to sell consumable hemp products.

Created new license category for retail consumable hemp establishment licenses available to licensed distilled spirits dealers.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that hemp products cannot be components of alcoholic beverages, while removing the previous prohibition on hemp beverages containing THC.

DEFINITION

Revised definitions to clarify that hemp products cannot be sold as components of alcoholic beverages under Title 3.

As introduced LC 55 0552 → As Passed Senate · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was amended to add a new definition for 'Total THC' and to prohibit the sale of consumable hemp beverages containing THC. The THC milligram limits were changed from delta-9-THC to total THC, and the exemption for hemp in beverages was removed, now allowing only non-alcoholic beverages without THC.

Scope change

The bill now explicitly prohibits the sale of consumable hemp beverages that contain THC, whereas the original version only prohibited alcoholic beverages.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'Total THC' to include delta-8-THC, delta-9-THC, delta-10-THC, or any combination thereof.

REQUIREMENT

Changed THC limits from delta-9-THC to total THC across all product categories including servings, containers, topical applications, and tinctures.

Added a new provision prohibiting the sale of consumable hemp beverages that contain THC, regardless of alcohol content.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the exemption for hemp contained in gummies or consumable base oils when they are components of non-alcoholic beverages, now prohibiting such products entirely.

"Georgia Hemp Farming Act,"; delta-9-THC in consumable hemp products; provide milligram limits

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