Politics
Politics

Medical marijuana bill rewritten in squabble between House and Senate

By
March 29, 2023

A medical marijuana bill grew from 12 to 54 pages on the floor of the Georgia House, a drastic rewriting of the legislation as representatives seek ways to increase transparency and expand the number of producers.

The bill’s fate was uncertain Wednesday night after the House voted 154-13 to approve a new version of the proposal, sending it back to the state Senate.

State Rep. Alan Powell, R-Hartwell, speaks about HB 196 at the House of Representatives in Atlanta on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. The bill aims to expand medical marijuana production, increase transparency and end lawsuits. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

icon to expand image

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Senate leaders oppose expanding the medical marijuana program as envisioned by the House. Senators have backed greater transparency when companies bid for production licenses, but they’ve resisted awarding additional licenses.

Two companies are planning to begin selling medical marijuana as soon as June.

- LIVE: Watch streams of the Georgia House and Senate

About the Author

Mark Niesse covers Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Chip Carter, a son of the late President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with longtime family caregiver and nanny, Mary Prince. "She's just family," Carter said. Plains, Georgia, July 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Chuck Williams)

Credit: Courtesy Chuck Williams

OPINION

The untold story of Amy Carter’s White House nanny, Mary Prince

Mary Prince met President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter 54 years ago as a wrongly convicted murderer. She talks about becoming a beloved nanny, caregiver and member of the family.

Democratic PSC candidates promise lower power bills headed into primary runoff

Two Democrats with contrasting backgrounds compete for the party nomination in a low-turnout runoff election for a chance to serve on Georgia's Public Service Commission.

SEC accuses GOP-linked Georgia lender of $140M Ponzi scheme

Federal regulators filed a complaint Thursday seeking the seizure of Georgia lender First Liberty Building & Loan, accusing its founder of operating a Ponzi scheme.

The Latest

Chip Carter, a son of the late President and Mrs. Jimmy Carter, with longtime family caregiver and nanny, Mary Prince. "She's just family," Carter said. Plains, Georgia, July 2, 2025. (Courtesy of Chuck Williams)

Credit: Courtesy Chuck Williams

OPINION

The untold story of Amy Carter’s White House nanny, Mary Prince

SEC accuses GOP-linked Georgia lender of $140M Ponzi scheme

SNAP cuts could mean fewer free meals for Georgia students

Featured

Rebecca Ramage-Tuttle, assistant director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Georgia, says the the DOE rule change is “a slippery slope” for civil rights. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Georgia disability rights advocates fear weakening of U.S. accessibility law

Advocates worry the Department of Energy’s move could be the start of a broader effort by other federal agencies to roll back civil rights rules.

From boycott to ballgame: Baseball’s political All-Star Game saga returns to Georgia

MLB pulled the 2021 All-Star Game from Georgia over the state's voting law, Senate Bill 202. Now it’s back — and Republicans say the return proves they were right all along.

OPINION

Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ tour pushes fans outside the norm

Preparations for the show pushed people out of their comfort zones — into new stores, new communities, a new style of dress, and in some cases, to visit new cities.