Medical cannabis dispensaries across Georgia are now offering the flower form of the drug, but a new state law that took effect this summer has generated confusion among patients regarding legal consumption methods. While dry-herb and oil vaporization is permitted for registered patients aged 21 and older for use strictly at home, smoking the raw cannabis flower remains illegal under Georgia's 'Putting Patients First Act.' This distinction is crucial for the nearly 50,000 patients enrolled in the state's medical cannabis program as of September 2, according to the Department of Public Health. Retailers are finding themselves on the front lines, educating patients who incorrectly assume the availability of flower means traditional smoking has been legalized.
The 'Putting Patients First Act,' passed earlier this year, significantly overhauled Georgia's medical cannabis program. The legislation dropped the previous 'low THC oil' branding, expanded the list of qualifying medical conditions, and removed prior potency restrictions. It specifically allows for the vaporization of both dry-herb and oil, leading to a substantial increase in patient enrollment. However, lawmakers were precise about the method of consumption. Newnan Republican state Sen. Matt Brass, the bill’s sponsor, clarified in a phone interview that "the only thing that’s allowed in inhalables is vaporizing."
Patients and advocates are also working to clarify the rules. Yolanda Bennett, a patient and co-head of the Georgia Medical Cannabis Society, which advocates for medical cannabis access and educates patients, explained that smoking and vaporizing flower are entirely different methods. She noted that smoking involves burning all the particles and plant matter, creating smoke from combustion. In contrast, vaporization devices only heat the plant matter to a specific temperature without burning it, producing an inhalable vapor. Bennett stated that when you take a flame and ignite the flower, that action is illegal.
Independent pharmacies specializing in medical cannabis, such as Lotus Farmacy in Suwanee, are frequently addressing patient questions about the difference between smoking and vaping. Priya Raje, owner of Lotus Farmacy, highlighted her role in educating patients on what is legally permitted in Georgia. She noted that many patients are accustomed to smoking flower as a historical method of cannabis consumption, necessitating extra time to explain current state law. Raje communicates to her patients what the legality is and what the risks are if they choose to do anything else.
While the initial bill did not originally include provisions for flower vaporization, the House amended it to include this option. Senator Brass did not oppose the amendment, stating that he agreed to it because vaping flower could offer a healthier alternative to oil vapes. He noted that the flower is grown with nothing added to it, unlike some oil vapes which may contain different additives.
