Georgia medical cannabis enrollment jumps 22% after law change

The Georgia medical cannabis patient registry grew from 36,595 to 44,854 in just over a month, a rise of more than 22% and over 8,200 new patients. The surge followed a July law that eliminated the low‑THC oil branding, removed the percentage potency cap in favor of a milligram‑based system, allowed patients over 21 to purchase vaping products, and added qualifying conditions such as lupus and irritable bowel syndrome while dropping the “severe or end‑stage” requirement for cancer and AIDS.

Industry executive Gary Long, CEO of Botanical Sciences, said the increase reflects pent‑up demand and that “people are starting to realize that Georgia has evolved its laws.” The rapid influx has strained the Georgia Department of Public Health, which now faces processing times of up to four weeks for medical cannabis cards.