Georgia committee hears discussion on Senate Bill 254 to limit hemp-derived THC beverages

House Regulated Industries Committee members heard two hours of testimony and questions on Senate Bill 254 on hemp-derived, consumable products — including beverages and gummies — but did not take a formal vote.

Senator Kouser, the bill author, told the committee the measure was intended to reduce the allowable THC in hemp-based beverages and to slow market growth while regulators and lawmakers gather more data. "This would be Senate Bill 254," he said, and explained that federal law and state rules currently allow several pathways for hemp-derived THC products to reach the market.

The bill would roll back portions of current rules and industry practice: Kouser described an original regulatory cap at 5 milligrams of THC per 12-ounce beverage, a later Department of Agriculture rule raising that to 10 milligrams, and a Senate floor amendment that moved the bill to prohibit THC beverages entirely ("0" milligrams) before the measure came to the House. "All my bill did was roll it back to the original 5 milligram 12 ounces," Kouser said, adding the bill would also limit gummies to 10 milligrams per unit and 150 milligrams per package.

Why it matters: supporters said the products can be intoxicating and are spreading quickly through convenience stores, hemp shops and other outlets. Kouser and several committee members raised concerns about driving under the influence and workplace drug testing, noting that THC can remain in the body long after alcohol does and that testing for impairment is more…