On May 12, Georgia enacted a law ending its 5% THC cap on medical cannabis and allowing vaporization for patients over 21; it took effect July 1

On May 12, 2026, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed Senate Bill 220, the "Putting Georgia's Patients First Act," a bipartisan measure that renames the state's "low THC oil" as medical cannabis and expands the rules for patients, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. The law took effect July 1, according to FOX 5 Atlanta and Local 3 News. Georgia Recorder reported that nearly 36,600 active patients were enrolled in the program the day before it took effect.

The new law removes the previous 5% THC potency cap on medical products, FOX 5 Atlanta reported. Under the signed bill text, registered patients and caregivers may possess up to a cumulative total of 12,000 milligrams of THC if the products are kept in pharmaceutical containers labeled by the manufacturer with the amount of THC. The old law limited possession to 20 fluid ounces of low THC oil containing no more than 5% THC by weight, according to the bill text. Georgia Recorder reported that the change replaces percentage-based caps with a milligram system.

The law also changes the list of conditions that qualify patients for the state's registry. The bill text adds lupus, replaces Crohn's disease with inflammatory bowel disease, covers autism spectrum disorder for patients 18 and older and severe autism for younger patients, and lists Stage III HIV. Patients with incurable or irreversible conditions are not subject to annual certifications, and registration cards remain valid for five years, according to the bill text. FOX 5 Atlanta reported that the law broadens the types of products dispensaries can sell, including edibles, gummies and vaporized flower.

Smoking or burning medical cannabis remains banned. The bill text allows vaporization except by anyone 21 or younger, and use of vaping devices in public places remains prohibited. State officials must adopt rules to implement those provisions by Jan. 1, 2027, under the bill. The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission received expanded duties, including oversight of a seed-to-sale tracking system, FOX 5 Atlanta reported, and the bill lets the commission fine licensees up to $25,000 for a first offense after written notice of violations.

FOX 5 Atlanta reported that it was not yet clear when a full shift to electronic registration cards would be finished. Under the bill, issuing electronic cards is subject to state appropriations.

Later developments: As of Oct. 17, 2026, the Georgia Department of Public Health's medical cannabis registry page, last updated July 1, 2026, states that patients with qualifying conditions and their caregivers may legally possess up to 12,000 milligrams of THC and lists the expanded conditions, including lupus, inflammatory bowel disease and Stage III HIV. No later change to the law was found.

This report summarizes published reporting and official records and is not legal or medical advice.