New Georgia law expands medical cannabis products and access

Georgia has expanded its medical cannabis program, allowing registered patients ages 21 and older to access medical cannabis flower and vaporization products for the first time and removing the previous requirement that certain diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, be advanced or end-stage.

The change comes under the Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act (Senate Bill 220), signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp on May 12, 2026, which also broadens the qualifying conditions. To mark the first day patients could legally purchase these newly available products, Trulieve Cannabis announced its first sale of medical cannabis flower and vaporization products in Georgia. These products were previously not permitted under the state’s medical cannabis program.

“We are thrilled to provide Georgia patients with a wider variety of products at our dispensaries and independent pharmacies,” Kim Rivers, Trulieve’s CEO, said in a company press release. “We applaud Governor Kemp and the state legislature for recognizing the patient need and addressing it with SB 220.”

Retired Army veteran Desi Cleveland was this first customer to purchase the new products.

“I served my country and came home with injuries that affect me every single day. For years, the options I had weren’t enough — or came with costs I wasn’t willing to pay,” said Cleveland. “Having access to a vaporized product that provides fast-acting relief when I need it most – alongside the other administration methods I already trust – is something I’ve been waiting for. Today marks a big step forward for veterans in Georgia.”

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‘Low THC’ designation dropped

Medical cannabis refers to the use of cannabinoid-containing products derived from the cannabis plant. Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the plant that interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system. They bind to receptors in the brain, including in brain regions affected in Parkinson’s, and play a role in motor control, inflammation, mood, and neuroprotection.

The main cannabinoids present in the plant are tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which may help treat nausea, pain, or motor symptoms, and cannabidiol (CBD), which may help manage nonmotor symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, and psychosis, as well as motor symptoms. These compounds, particularly THC, may also have negative effects on behavior, mood, and cognitive skills.

Low-THC cannabis oil was legalized for medical use in Georgia in 2015. Under the new law, the state will drop the “Low THC” designation, which previously limited products to up to 5% THC, and allow patients to buy up to 12,000 milligrams of THC-containing products at one time.

Pharmacists are trusted healthcare providers, and being able to provide medical cannabis alongside our patients’ other medications is a natural extension of the care we already deliver, in their convenient, neighborhood pharmacy setting.

Additionally, the law allows patients over 21 to acquire oil and products for dry herb vaporization, Smoking cannabis is still prohibited.

Recent changes at the federal level, specifically the rescheduling of medical marijuana to Schedule III, classifying it as a drug with an accepted medical use and moderate-to-low abuse potential, allow independent pharmacies in Georgia to dispense medical cannabis products to qualified patients. Pharmacies must have state licensure that regulates general pharmacy operations and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration registration, which regulates controlled substances.

Trulieve has started supplying its products to several pharmacies and expects to expand distribution to additional locations throughout this summer. All six Trulieve locations in Georgia hosted launch-day events earlier this month, including patient consultations, education on program enrollment and new products, special promotions, and giveaways.

“Pharmacists are trusted healthcare providers, and being able to provide medical cannabis alongside our patients’ other medications is a natural extension of the care we already deliver, in their convenient, neighborhood pharmacy setting,” said Parth Patel, owner of Bonaire Pharmacy in Warner Robins, Georgia.