[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6630887,"mediaKeyId","2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2","parentId",2688558,"title","Committee debates expanding medical‑cannabis rules, including higher potency and inhalable options; action deferred","audioSeconds",2528,"startMs",8112176,"endMs",10640520,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2&start=8112&end=10640","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2/thumbnail_8112176.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6630887/Georgia/Committee-debates-expanding-medicalcannabis-rules-including-higher-potency-and-inhalable-options-action-deferred","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630887-c26952d77a184add818a29fe2d1601b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044572&Signature=S1n0XG0~Z8gsQMCwNtJah0OpJ69P~-ia3KBzJa7mHfQ1XVDRXmnRn5RPaiwgtwmIRqiBeN5dAdMoRPLlUGvzJTNwDFqneqMvsUUP6TiZqf0h9XUEOZ2VtO19AjZ109AMJOprxVXLDAbQstjjpjFec5IwFPIb7tQ2ElicnfIMIgKK5CR0vkVIUlf~mXo5zBrO56R1cYi9f6YYj54c9zOFWwVRFtRTSTcK2kteLP65B8O3B853F0AMcNBk3tKFfkAp5JIvz1YyDKuzmqffMssjGB9mY22Ao5wzzYC3nvM7XviU03hcgzKzWmXhaX~4VB6X56pcesxTOLdA~5nntYF1Fw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-03-19T13:12:18.02Z","article","The Regulated Industries Committee heard extended testimony and debate on Senate Bill 220, a multi‑part rewrite of the state’s low‑THC medical program that would retitle the program “medical cannabis,” raise potency caps for allowable products and broaden eligible conditions and delivery methods.

Key proposed changes in the bill presented to the committee include:

- Changing the program name from \"low THC oil\" to \"medical cannabis.\"
- Raising a potency cap for permitted oil products from 5% to 50% THC for certain delivery systems, citing other medical-only states that set caps at 50–70%.
- Changing possession limits from “20 fluid ounces” to 2 ounces (regular ounces) for patients.
- Allowing an inhalable/vaped delivery option intended to provide faster onset for patients with urgent symptoms (for example, seizure disorders), while retaining prohibitions on smoking and excluding flower products.
- Broadening some qualifying conditions (for example, Crohn’s disease renamed inflammatory bowel disease and adding lupus) and removing “severe or end‑stage” language in many conditions in favor of a physician‑judgment standard that the patient’s symptoms would reasonably be relieved and benefits outweigh risks.

Testimony included patient advocates and former Representative Micah Gravely, who described personal and clinical anecdotes in favor of broader access and inhalable delivery, and Edward Lindsey, who summarized changes in terminology and possession and caregiver provisions. Supporters argued the 5% cap is too low for some patients and that inhalables provide medically necessary rapid relief. Several senators and members voiced caution, raising public‑health questions about higher THC levels, youth exposure and parallels with past overprescribing of other drugs. Committee members also asked practical questions about dosing, possession limits, how dispensaries track patient purchases, and whether the change would increase participation by providers.

The committee recessed and did not take a final vote; members agreed to reconvene to continue consideration and to solicit additional information from the commission and agencies after further drafting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Regulated Industries 03.18.25","oneSentenceSummary","Senators, former lawmakers, patients and industry representatives debated a bill to rename the state program and expand authorized products, including raising THC caps and allowing inhalable delivery; the committee recessed and deferred action for further work.","taxTitle","Regulated Industries, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",17251,"location","Georgia","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6630892,"Committee hears overhaul of funeral‑service and cemetery rules; action held for further work",2271,6007445,8279355,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2&start=6007&end=8279","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2/thumbnail_6007445.jpg","/articles/6630892/Georgia/Committee-hears-overhaul-of-funeralservice-and-cemetery-rules-action-held-for-further-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630892-2ebf1136ba27f211f14190e6e5333277/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044572&Signature=kKEeisnq7dg~qs8~qXBfiu8coIhGBPjL4UXTS49R0cYhGYkFd29CA8rs6rEzkOQ4VdqT28oHws1PHB-YcKYJppsPR9zb-hCBWg~dScmIws8afeMjKqYr63lwgD-MbQVv184waKuvNISFopendLOmbII0vOF~tqyuBL8qerudQBtKQ74pLZB0dlJ3~5rfhYqCfuShh1xf0Ipwk1gznnAjCW-sV7dxxeCktvt1RrXQaaLcPp-QiXlcIxYadGj2h9WOoRfF5YXjdlazpaXMCnpszjkWnz5oXa193HrFU-EETekNasygO~HV4aR5MIeed-xqODSodQSCDDDv8iW3p1BVdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee considered a broad bill that would update state rules for disposition of human remains, add regulatory requirements for human‑composting operations, and create processes for family burial‑plot protection and disinterment permits.

Sponsor testimony cited past state failures — including the Tri‑State Crematory incident in Noble, Ga., and later discoveries of decomposing remains at private facilities — as motivation for tighter rules. The bill would require licensing and inspection of human‑composting operations, specify standards for disposition methods, and create a permitting process for disturbing graves or disinterring remains.

Other provisions would require the State Board of Funeral Service and related boards to act on credible complaints: when a board member receives notice of possible wrongdoing the boards would be authorized to confer and, where appropriate, inspect a facility within ten days with two board members. Supporters said current inspectors sometimes lack subject‑matter expertise because inspection contracts cross many regulated industries; the proposed change would require funeral‑service‑trained board members to inspect facilities that handle human remains.

The bill also added a family burial‑plot provision that would create a process for descendants to seek a court order granting access to private property to visit and maintain family graves; sponsors said the measure preserves local control while providing a path for descendants blocked from access. Several committee members raised liability and practical concerns about granting access to private property for visitation, and asked if the court‑ordered access would expose landowners to increased tort risk. Sponsors said they would work with legislators and counsel to refine language.

The author offered the fuller substitute that incorporated cemetery protections and other language that had not been in the subcommittee draft. Committee members debated whether the substitute should proceed or whether the original, shorter bill should be taken up first. At the chair’s discretion, sponsors agreed to hold the bill and continue working with subcommittee chairs and interested members on clarifying language about access, liability and enforcement. The bill was not passed; sponsors asked for additional meetings to refine the proposal.","Legislation would license and inspect human-composting operations, clarify disinterment and family‑burial‑plot rules, and require prompt inspections for alleged misconduct at funeral facilities; committee deferred final action to allow additional drafting and stakeholder input.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6630897,"Committee approves statewide provider‑directory bill with amendment adding limited birth and location fields",1289,605050,1894810,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2&start=605&end=1894","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2/thumbnail_605050.jpg","/articles/6630897/Georgia/Committee-approves-statewide-providerdirectory-bill-with-amendment-adding-limited-birth-and-location-fields","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630897-bb4295350ae29e508a2c006868581188/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044572&Signature=k4WefCuJmql~KFI5RP3l~l8h1FEx5HJIaFcT3muZcI6aep51LadrPR-hSXV6hRbXxxu1J8O7D-3-OgEejB0lXm-tgLdziaZdShKa~cuXyaIcuRSp5-VpFpSMZY7y2ighjgJZNDxjxz3mWijJv3HTPFUVFw-7VsTHaDd~Ybm7graD-UXnStruCqHa5O1uPKmkRx5m~nZI37yWF4ltu149vaqHlAttLuBo0xTnGnBnUTfWx6V32UTSlk-O1yCKdaO3SJGpncOVE8Q95DYyTZqghYsVXGqQuVdOhh~cZsQqwIYP3Hc9i4b-WlxLTjAVYguDmOPTwOLpejuAK6wryTNeZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Regulated Industries Committee approved legislation directing the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce to establish a statewide, searchable list of licensed healthcare providers to assist health planners and consumers.

The directory would list licensed providers by categories that include specialty/practice type, language proficiency, gender and location. The bill directs collaboration among about 15 licensing boards and allows the Board of Healthcare Workforce to seek federal or other funding to build and maintain the system. The stated purpose is to help planners identify geographic gaps or “health care deserts” and to help consumers find local providers.

At the committee meeting the secretary of state’s office contacted staff and requested two additional data items to make location and age information usable: month and year of birth (to calculate age) and city, county and ZIP code to place the licensee geographically. The sponsor offered a friendly amendment to add those fields. Committee members raised privacy concerns about including month and year of birth because in some counties a single provider of a particular specialty could be personally identifiable. Supporters, including the board’s executive director and other members, said month and year of birth is already collected by the Secretary of State and would be used only to calculate age, not to publish birthdates, and that the board intends to publish fact-based data without editorializing.

The committee voted to approve the amendment by a recorded show‑of‑hands tally of 7 in favor and 5 opposed; the committee then approved the bill as amended and sent it forward on a committee substitute vote.

The transcript records that the secretary of state and several licensing boards would supply data; the bill includes language directing collaboration among existing boards and licensing authorities.","A bill directing the Georgia Board of Healthcare Workforce to create a statewide searchable list of licensed healthcare providers passed the committee after an amendment to add month/year of birth and city, county and ZIP of residence.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6630901,"Committee approves change letting aspiring engineers take PE exam earlier",203,379310,583170,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2&start=379&end=583","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2/thumbnail_379310.jpg","/articles/6630901/Georgia/Committee-approves-change-letting-aspiring-engineers-take-PE-exam-earlier","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630901-4794db0efe02a076fa6bb60bde1e6269/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044572&Signature=OjwkSzyua6AaMAa-4tlrSgEGIWMGYwiAHMiO5Umu790Y~CK3cUbBgmZpTax3KC-aO-hnM7FIwjdPl-eMXugA2efwES9cgcn~Fc03PWJLOIGzQNHd0opyQHBvNak0anoZuKCzMEuhl4i-Iw~vobcDJKJ-mjt2HpI6MOAXRycOPGBawX~0bsBVUC0lCCGefkTiwhseThMHFc3tIKVntxRiyB2sEK1USdMOvtSFhj~g9D0VQMvy4hrMAOa7BPY1ViF8QzIguKSK1A7D43AzPTJYdhuQsVNRwLLmj9fhixFGF3pwBZwOfXjDTlSu34LdAFxeS8QHo3h10S~g3g0YfMxtHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Regulated Industries Committee unanimously approved a bill that changes the order of steps required to become a licensed professional engineer. Under current law, candidates complete academic coursework, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, satisfy a period of engineering work experience (engineer in training), then take the professional engineering (PE) exam. The bill would permit candidates to take the PE exam immediately after finishing their academic coursework, before completing the work‑experience requirement.

Proponents told the committee the change does not reduce the substantive requirements for licensure — candidates must still meet the work‑experience requirement before obtaining a license — but it may improve pass rates because academic material will be fresher.

Committee members and representatives of engineering associations expressed support; the American Council of Engineering Companies and state engineering associations were cited as supporters. After brief discussion the committee moved and approved the bill by voice vote.

The bill will be carried in the House by Leader McDonald for further consideration.","A bill allowing candidates to sit for the professional engineering exam immediately after completing academic coursework — before finishing field experience — passed the committee by voice vote.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6630905,"Committee advances bill tightening rules for secondary metal recyclers and catalytic-converter payments",258,96417,354875,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2&start=96&end=354","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2688558-b2c9b5a9f1fcc7411e767868c068f4a2/thumbnail_96417.jpg","/articles/6630905/Georgia/Committee-advances-bill-tightening-rules-for-secondary-metal-recyclers-and-catalytic-converter-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6630905-a29619a41cfa4f092b1d93cd68acdc16/orig.mp4?Expires=1771044572&Signature=U7iR1woSb~L2YjJt2wkgzKw6daopqbDMO-hRPtLmeTsMF8FKBIBeCoFx~dRzNdUlKqDEQr~e9IM7INoW9DApzKZmrBL4WF8a3sYO236tQftByvswNwaFjVWYdkQwDvCB-0ip-dR-UBTtNhLrCkFNc1tCIIUISHubtG6OUMQTvUsi3QWYRX0JGk6ZRUwiZHWfyW3kQnidLCK979Dr9FyuFXNFF3SK2pLx8wkQJjmwSKklPXJ05rqsRlCPCvPZiTjQwiQnyC-vV4T2ifieU8YXi19B85gIT8aoRUUa3Z3xgIy1cB-uvoZEhWm7k1JqzHqFQTnuYUwqhouqGrtzhY0M4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Regulated Industries Committee advanced a bill aimed at refining rules for secondary metal recyclers, including a definition change for used catalytic converters, limits on cash payments and a change to how a $200 registration fee is split between counties and the state.

The measure moves a statutory definition for “used catalytic converter” from one code section to another, clarifies that secondary metal recyclers may pay up to $100 in cash twice per day for a qualifying item but may not pay cash for items such as copper wire, utility cable or batteries, and creates or maintains an online registry for recyclers supported by a $200 registration fee. Under the bill the registering county would retain $100 and $100 would be remitted to a state fund for the registry.

Committee members characterized the bill as a cleanup to prior anti-theft legislation that prosecutors and sheriffs used to curb metal theft. Committee discussion clarified that the bill is intended to fix drafting problems that previously caused the measure to be stripped from final legislation because of a conflict with judicial-pay language.

A committee member asked whether the bill narrows or broadens the felony-disclosure language tied to permitting; the bill as drafted changed a five‑year felony lookback provision from applying only to theft-related felonies to applying to any felony. That change was noted but not further amended in the hearing record.

After brief questions and clarifications about the county/state split of the $200 registration fee and the scope of cash‑payment prohibitions, a member moved the bill and a second was recorded. The committee approved the bill by voice vote.

The bill will proceed to the next stage of consideration in the legislature.","A cleanup measure addressing catalytic-converter thefts, cash payment limits and a recycler registry fee moved through the Regulated Industries Committee after brief discussion and a voice vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee debates expanding medical‑cannabis rules, including higher potency and inhalable options; action deferred

Committee hears overhaul of funeral‑service and cemetery rules; action held for further work

Committee approves statewide provider‑directory bill with amendment adding limited birth and location fields

Committee approves change letting aspiring engineers take PE exam earlier

Committee advances bill tightening rules for secondary metal recyclers and catalytic-converter payments