[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-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],{"_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",6623213,"mediaKeyId","2776151-3d37facce1ee700542325a1f87c5276e","parentId",2776151,"title","House approves study committee (HR 368) to review hemp-derived cannabinoids and public-safety impacts","audioSeconds",2422,"startMs",2955000,"endMs",5377000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776151-3d37facce1ee700542325a1f87c5276e&start=2955&end=5377","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776151-3d37facce1ee700542325a1f87c5276e/thumbnail_2955000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6623213/Georgia/House-approves-study-committee-HR-368-to-review-hemp-derived-cannabinoids-and-public-safety-impacts","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623213-b58b4f2fe797d54007a0c1a6fcfaca0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129167&Signature=f9G18Jr59QpVVvhZnhnFaaQfLBo4cNB2lSDUa18wWg2M4ivjH0sfz2OPF2J3fWONR6QfOPw~1tQ3WlshYlBinMUhsHR48XcbHK4F--nEy-CQQICGfNZBd0ps94Y-u2EUmVjGkItzdSkbBUdUzk6gzB2Td4hYYVM53sTdFafK7tLfvYLWy3jkg69CS3uFj2Il6QkqP43X0~deNnugTeGDx-e28IBIcaD~KVHt4iiT8A137vO0tomgy7YvMyJVn4WKds2V9c0UWHP2HK48wIyfuOBFVypemtIU0f3VxLcPDOYQd33xFqMBDyAP2Ri3MeugGv1hoJ0mKRea-mRGIm17dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","State of Georgia ","date","2025-03-26T13:25:31.83Z","article","The Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee approved HR 368 to form a study committee examining hemp-derived cannabinoids, including delta-8 and other isomers, their effects on public health and safety, and potential regulatory responses.

Representative Saints moved to create the study committee and the motion passed by voice vote. Committee members and witnesses said the topic requires a broad, evidence-based review before further legislation.

Why it matters: Witnesses from public-health groups, law enforcement advocates and the hemp industry said the market for hemp-derived intoxicants has outpaced regulatory frameworks. Proponents argued a study committee could gather scientific data, review other states approaches and recommend targeted policy.

What supporters told the committee
Michael Mumper of Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy urged the study to focus on specific questions including intoxication thresholds for new and experienced users, crash risk, workplace impacts and youth exposure. \"Can hemp consumables impact driving?\" Mumper asked, noting poison-control calls for young children and asserting the need to study isomers such as delta-8, delta-10 and THCA.

Dr. Greg Raducah, a long-time substance-abuse prevention specialist with Georgians for Responsible Marijuana Policy, said a flaw in the 2018 Farm Bill limited regulation to delta-9 THC, enabling other intoxicating isomers to proliferate. He told the committee the study should assess semi-synthetic and synthetic cannabinoids derived from hemp.

Industry and retail testimony
Speakers representing hemp firms and retailers said they support a comprehensive study committee but urged neutral language and industry participation on study panels. Joe Salome of Georgia Hemp Company and other retail owners said recent law changes reduced foot traffic and sales and asked that the study fairly consider consumer uses and differential effects by cannabinoid and dose.

Alan Hart of Class Sativa (US Hemp Roundtable affiliate) urged precise definitions for \"intoxication\" and cannabinoid-specific study, noting that different cannabinoids interact with receptors differently and that some (he said) have little intoxication potential.

Vote and next steps
A motion to create the study committee was made, seconded and approved by voice vote in committee. Committee leadership indicated a Senate study committee is moving in parallel and that both bodies would share information; the Department of Agriculture expressed support for a robust study process over the summer.

Speakers and stakeholders requested that study membership include industry representatives, law enforcement, public-health experts, family members affected by product harms and people in recovery.

Ending note: Committee members said the study committee should be transparent and broad-ranging; members asked to be notified of meetings and expressed hope the review will inform future targeted legislation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agriculture & Consumer Affairs 03.26.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee voted to create a study committee under HR 368 to examine intoxicating hemp-derived cannabinoids, their health and safety impacts, and possible regulatory responses; the motion passed by voice vote.","taxTitle","Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Georgia","taxId",16936,"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},6623218,"Georgia committee holds hearing on HB 757 to expand kratom regulation and enforcement",2221,777000,2998000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2776151-3d37facce1ee700542325a1f87c5276e&start=777&end=2998","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2776151-3d37facce1ee700542325a1f87c5276e/thumbnail_777000.jpg","/articles/6623218/Georgia/Georgia-committee-holds-hearing-on-HB-757-to-expand-kratom-regulation-and-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6623218-e25f3b0647ffdfcd8e670a3e9575cc5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771129167&Signature=Ygzrand2SnY86a~tlH2TudAn1aAUKyesJMNXBz1uX9x0Yw4qz4sxAs99zW9ow7LABW0y4LMOVFwf7iiFCIxL9dV9ZmFLWsAOUg5t8S1jnQsmX~c2AUk7IXPO5IBtuCJ-xzTP569-ykNjf4mdNTjHIOqxpuy6MUO52P8h2t7NCLJKVFz9WSj--Y123w~gij3qmmr5Cr1KFm5sFY3qY8nigdkbWwsBoXT9ROCR21nBlIL9Iihccxh9YMnZWL1jC6SZblEWK7zugxlpoHxBHGHWDVsW47vjMnF~dLcvVjHN-4wdGzp469x405iyS3tsfMgV5M0ES69ZqiewJiGZO-rTfg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee on Monday heard House Bill 757, a proposal to bring kratom processors under the Department of Agriculture\u0000\u0000and create a registration and enforcement regime for kratom products sold in Georgia.

Representative Kelly opened the hearing, saying the bill would require processors to register annually and make sworn statements about product contents and safety, with the Department of Agriculture overseeing distribution and retail sales. \"The beginning of the bill talks about processors of kratom, those who are actually processing, the kratom product, making them register, with the department annually and asking them to swear certain statements about the safety,\" Representative Kelly said.

The measure was presented as a two-year bill intended to let the committee refine enforcement details. Kelly told members he planned to restore a misdemeanor penalty in the bill\u0000removing a prior strike that had moved some penalties to administrative fines\u0000and that language creating a civil remedy for injuries caused by kratom might be added during revision.

Why it matters: Supporters said the bill would curb unsafe products and \"get rid of the bad actors,\" while opponents warned the product can be dangerous and that the proposed language could leave enforcement gaps. The bill would change how kratom is regulated in Georgia and could affect manufacturers, retailers and consumers statewide.

What supporters said
Jack Kingston, a former U.S. congressman appearing for the American Kratom Association, outlined national advocacy for consumer protection laws and told the committee there are \"about nationally about 15,000,000 people\" who use kratom in various forms. Kingston described four elements he said are common to state-level consumer-protection approaches: safety (dosage and packaging), access, regulatory oversight to track product provenance, and education.

Representative Townsend, who led the Legislatures kratom law last year, urged keeping strong penalties for processors and tighter packaging rules to prevent products that appeal to children. Townsend said the 2024 law added packaging and dosage requirements and that the states approach intentionally regulated rather than banned kratom. \"That's why we have to keep these regulations tight,\" Townsend said, citing local cases his office provided to lawmakers.

What opponents and critics said
Eli Cohen, a plaintiffs attorney representing families who have sued over kratom-related deaths, said he currently handles more than 30 cases and urged the committee to tighten definitions and registration requirements so importers and processors cannot evade oversight. \"This is an incredibly dangerous product,\" Cohen said, and he recommended removing qualifiers such as \"intended to be offered for sale to an end consumer\" and broadening registration to capture bulk shipments and all delivery forms.

Robert Highsmith of Better Botanicals for Wellness, a manufacturer, urged distinction between whole-plant kratom products and concentrated synthetic extracts, and asked the committee to allow some natural beverage-format products to be displayed in beer coolers behind 21+ access rather than locked counters.

Technical and implementation questions
Committee members pressed sponsors on testing, fees and administration. Representative Taylor asked whether a fiscal note existed for Department of Agriculture costs; Kelly said the bill authorizes the department to set a licensing fee tied to its estimated administrative costs so the program would be fee-supported rather than drawing on the state treasury. Representative Taylor replied she wants the Fiscal Office to review the cost estimate.

The committee also discussed age limits and packaging. Townsend said the current law requires purchasers to be 21 and that packaging and serving-size rules were intended to ensure consumers know what they are taking.

What happens next
This hearing was informational; the committee did not take a formal vote on HB 757 during the session. Kelly indicated he will work with interested parties and may revise the bill\u0000restoring misdemeanor language for some processor violations and adding civil-remedy language\u0000before future consideration.

Speakers identified in the hearing included Representative Kelly (presenter), Representative Townsend (author of the 2024 kratom law), Jack Kingston (former U.S. congressman), Eli Cohen (plaintiffs attorney), Robert Highsmith (Better Botanicals for Wellness), Max Thielen (attorney), and multiple committee members who asked procedure and implementation questions.

Ending note: Committee members expressed interest in refining technical testing and enforcement language and requested clearer fiscal estimates from the Department of Agriculture before the bill returns to committee.","The Georgia House Agriculture & Consumer Affairs Committee heard testimony on HB 757, a bill to register kratom processors with the Department of Agriculture, add enforcement tools and clarify penalties and civil remedies; no vote was taken.","actionData","errors"]

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House approves study committee (HR 368) to review hemp-derived cannabinoids and public-safety impacts

Georgia committee holds hearing on HB 757 to expand kratom regulation and enforcement