On May 12, 2026, Gov. Brian Kemp signed the Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act — SB 220 — into law, expanding upon the 2019 Georgia's Hope Act. The 2019 law imposed a 5% cap on THC, which was removed in 2026. Now, patients may possess up to 12,000 milligrams of THC in cannabis products at one time. The Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act also expanded the methods of delivery, allowing vaporized cannabis flower (but not smoking). It also added qualifying conditions. Under the 2019 law, six private growers are licensed, along with dispensaries and specially licensed independent pharmacies.
Here are more details about the program.
What type of marijuana does the law allow?
The law allows registered patients to use most preparations of cannabis, which include oils, tinctures, topicals, transdermal patches, and vaporization of botanical cannabis flower (for patients 21 and over). Patients may possess products containing up to 12,000 milligrams of THC at one time. Food products containing cannabis and smoking are prohibited.
Who qualifies for the program?
Patients with the following medical conditions may register if they have a physician’s certification:
Cancer (except skin cancer, unless it is metastatic cancer)
ALS
Seizure disorders
Multiple sclerosis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Mitochondrial disease
Parkinson’s disease
Sickle cell disease
Tourette’s syndrome
Autism spectrum disorder (patients under 18 must be diagnosed with severe autism)
Epidermolysis bullosa
Alzheimer’s disease
HIV in stage III
Peripheral neuropathy
Intractable pain
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from direct exposure to or witnessing of a trauma for a patient who is at least 18 years of age
Lupus
Patients also qualify if they are in a hospice program
Who can authorize patients to participate in the program?
Only a physician licensed to practice medicine in Georgia may certify a patient to use medical cannabis. The physician must have a doctor-patient relationship with the patient, diagnose the patient with a qualifying medical condition, and be treating the individual for the specific condition requiring treatment.
Can minors with seizure disorders qualify under this law?
Yes. There is no age limit to becoming a registered patient, with the exception of patients with PTSD.
Do qualifying patients need to obtain an ID card?
Yes. In order to enjoy the legal protections of this law, patients must be registered with the Department of Public Health and have their registration card in their possession. In addition, patients must ensure that their medicine is in a pharmaceutical container.
Can registered patients or their caregivers grow their own marijuana for purposes of producing medical cannabis?
No.
Regulated In-State Production
A seven-member Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission was appointed in November 2019. It is charged with hiring an executive director, crafting regulations, and licensing and regulating medical cannabis producers.
The commission’s authority includes:
Issuing up to two Class 1 production licenses, which allow up to 100,000 square feet of space for indoor cultivation, and the production of medical cannabis.
Issuing up to four Class 2 production licenses, which allow up to 50,000 square feet of space for indoor cultivation, and the production of medical cannabis.
Ensuring quality control, oversight, and security for medical cannabis production, including 24-hour indoor and outdoor video surveillance, access control, licensed security personnel, and a detailed tracking system.
Maintaining a list of independent laboratories and ensuring accurate labeling and testing for purity and dosage.
Coordinating with the Department of Public Health and employing an executive director and other staff as needed.
By January 1, 2022, and every four years thereafter, studying the participation of women- and minority-owned businesses as licensees. In the event of proof of discrimination, the commission will issue three additional licenses to minority- and women-owned businesses.
Class 1 and Class 2 producer applicants must:
be Georgia corporations with Georgia bank accounts;
have a letter of support from the local government(s);
show that at least one minority business enterprise will have significant involvement in the business, either as a co-owner or substantial supplier of goods or services;
have a large cash bond payable to Georgia or an irrevocable line of credit issued within 30 days of licensure. For Class 1 licenses, the amount is $1.5 million and for Class 2 licenses, it is $625,000;
be operational within a year of licensure or the licenses may be revoked;
in the case of a Class 1 applicant, pay a $25,000 non-refundable application fee, along with an initial $200,000 licensing fee and $100,000 annual renewal fees; and
in the case of a Class 2 applicant, pay a $5,000 non-refundable application fee, along with an initial $100,000 licensing fee and $50,000 annual renewal fees.
Licensees were selected via a competitive application process.
Regulated In-State Dispensing
The commission and the Board of Pharmacy jointly adopted rules for dispensing medical cannabis from both pharmacies and retail dispensaries.
Specific Prohibitions and Requirements
Licensees may not be located within 3,000 feet of schools, churches or other places of public worship, or licensed childcare facilities.
Licensees may not advertise to registered patients or the public.
Licensees must provide on-demand access for inspection to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the commission, and local law enforcement.
Licensees may not hold an ownership interest in more than one category of license.
No licensee may transfer ownership within five years of issuance. All subsequent transfers must be approved by the commission and require the payment of a transfer fee.
Physicians who certify patients may not have a financial interest in or be employed by any medical cannabis licensee.
Smoking medical cannabis is illegal.
Taxes
Standard sales and use taxes apply to medical cannabis.