What SB 220 Means for Georgia Patients
At Trulieve, we are driven by a core mission to expand access to cannabis.
On May 12th, Governor Kemp signed Senate Bill 220 (SB 220), the "Putting Georgia's Patients First Act," into law. This marks an important step forward for patients in Georgia's medical cannabis program!
"I also recognize that for some patients, medical cannabis provides significant relief to symptoms that would otherwise go untreated or would be treated with even more harmful opioids," Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.
SB 220 ensures that more patients will have broader access to regulated medical cannabis products.
Trulieve is proud to serve Georgia's patient community and educate on the changes made by SB 220.
A Snapshot of the "Putting Georgia's Patients First Act"
SB 220 is the most significant expansion of Georgia's medical cannabis program since its creation, written to remove barriers that kept patients from accessing consistent and safe relief across the state of Georgia.
The "Putting Georgia's Patients First Act" makes the following key changes for Georgia patients:
- Changing product potency limits
- Expanding qualifying conditions and requirements
- Adding vaporization as a delivery method for patients 21+
Changes to Product Potency Limits
Instead of having products measured by THC percentage, making it confusing for patients to determine dosing, products are now measured in milligrams, like other medications. Product packages are now capped at 1,200 mg of THC per container, instead of 5% THC.
Expanded Qualifying Conditions and Requirements
Thanks to SB 220, many Georgians can now qualify for a Georgia medical cannabis card through expanded and more broad criteria. This means that more Georgians can become patients and access medical cannabis safely through the program.
- Lupus, HIV, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease have all been added to the expanded list of qualifying conditions. View the full list here.
- End-Stage language adjusted: Many conditions, such as Cancer, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease, were formerly required to be classified as "severe" or "end-stage" to qualify for a medical card. Thankfully, now patients at any stage of their medical journey may be able to access medical cannabis.
- SB 220 allows many Georgians to now qualify for medical cannabis to treat their symptoms, achieving a better quality of life.
Vaporization as a Delivery Method for Patients 21+
SB 220 now allows for vaporization as a new option for Georgia patients who are 21 and over.
Vape products allow patients to receive rapid and fast-acting relief, which is necessary for those with conditions like breakthrough pain or seizure disorders. The use of vape products is allowed at home or in private settings, but public consumption and smoking are still prohibited.
What Does This Mean for Me?
Physicians
Physicians are now required to have their primary place of practice in Georgia. Under this new law, physicians now have less burdensome administrative work, changing their twice-yearly reporting to annual reporting.
Find a GA Medical Marijuana Physician here!
Current Patients
Implementation of SB 220 will take time and awaits rulemaking from the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission. At Trulieve, we are dedicated to sending updates as soon as new products are available at our dispensaries. Any team member at a Trulieve dispensary can provide you with up-to-date information on the products we carry.
Prospective Patients
Georgia's qualifying medical marijuana conditions list has expanded, meaning you may now qualify for the program!
Learn about obtaining your medical card in Georgia.
Please stay tuned for new product releases or visit any Trulieve dispensary to learn more about the latest updates to Georgia's program.
