Politics
Politics

Bill to allow hemp cultivation in Georgia passes Legislature

Dozens of bills are in jeopardy on the final day of Georgia’s 2019 legislative session. House Bill 324 would allow up to 28 medical marijuana oil dispensaries and two growing operations. House Bill 228 would increase Georgia's minimum marriage age from 16 to 17. House Bill 345 would ban the practice of shackling pregnant inmates around their wrists, ankles and waists. Lawmakers are haggling over Senate Bill 131, which would create state oversight of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, among other th
By
April 2, 2019

The Georgia Senate on Tuesday approved a bill allowing farmers to grow hemp for CBD oils and other products. It now goes to Gov. Brian Kemp to decide whether to sign into law.

House Bill 213 passed both houses overwhelmingly, with a final vote of 51-4 in the Senate.

Live: Use AJC tracker to follow Georgia bills

ExplorePhotos: Sine Die at the Georgia legislature

Forty-one other states already permit hemp cultivation, according to the bill's sponsors. Rep. Robert Dickey, a peach grower and Republican from Musella called the bill "another tool in the belt of farmers that we can diversify."

ExploreREAD MORE: HB 213 passes Georgia House

About the Author

Ariel Hart is a reporter on health care issues. She works on the AJC’s health team and has reported on subjects including the Voting Rights Act and transportation.

More Stories

Keep Reading

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. (second from right) and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. (right) react during a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Georgia lawmakers vote to release Epstein files

The tally marked a dramatic reversal for GOP lawmakers on Capitol Hill and a stinging rebuke for Trump, who had furiously tried to block the move.

2h ago

Feud between Raffensperger and the State Election Board heats up

Relations between the State Election Board and the secretary of state's office have frayed after law changes and infighting on the board.

Lawmakers debate eliminating Georgia’s income tax

Supporters and opponents of eliminating Georgia’s income tax on Monday aired competing visions of what would happen if the state gave up its largest source of revenue.

The Latest

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga. (second from right) and Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. (right) react during a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)

Credit: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Georgia lawmakers vote to release Epstein files

2h ago
LISTEN

The federal government shutdown ends, but new rifts start in Georgia

Feud between Raffensperger and the State Election Board heats up

Featured

Rose Scott signals as Closer Look goes on air in the WABE studio. An Atlanta resident left WABE a $3 million donation, a boost after WABE lost $1.9 million in annual funding from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting. (Ben Gray / AJC file)

Credit: Ben Gray

Donor leaves WABE $3 million, largest individual gift in station’s history

An Atlanta resident has bequeathed WABE a $3 million donation, the largest one-time individual donation in the nonprofit media operation’s 76-year history.

Usher sues business partners over failed Buckhead restaurant plan

Atlanta singer Usher wants his money back after loaning $1.7 million to music producer Bryan-Michael Cox and others to buy a Buckhead restaurant property for $6.3 million.

Braves’ original ‘Freeze’ is retired. But you probably still can’t catch him.

As the Atlanta Braves prepare to find their next sprinting mascot, Nigel Talton is enjoying his new career coaching high school athletes at McEachern High.