New hemp laws in GA take effect October 1

Source: GA Farm Bureau

The Georgia Hemp Farming Act, a law passed earlier this year by the Georgia General Assembly and signed into law on April 30 by Gov. Brian Kemp, takes full effect Oct. 1.

The bill, SB 94, was sponsored by Sen. Sam Watson (R-Moultrie), passed the Senate by a 52-1 margin and the House by 168-3 margin.

The law imposes licensing requirements on hemp growers, processors, manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers.

New regulations for hemp farming go into effect October 1.

Photo Credit: Harrison Haines/Pexels

The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) regulates growing, processing, testing, manufacturing and sale of consumable hemp products. The section of the law prohibiting the sale of consumable hemp within 500 feet of K-12 schools took effect on July 1.

The law imposes new packaging, advertising, testing, and labeling requirements for consumable hemp products. The law also prohibits selling or furnishing consumable hemp products to individuals under 21 years of age, and to require retailers selling consumable hemp products to post signs accordingly.

Growers will be required to provide a legal description and global positioning coordinates for fields and greenhouses used to cultivate and harvest hemp or facilities where hemp is processed.

According to the GDA website, the grower license fee is $50 per acre with a $5,000 maximum. If a grower also plans to process the hemp, a hemp processor permit is also required; the hemp processor permit fee is $25,000.