Georgia Medical Groups' Opposition to SB 220 Crumbles Under Analysis

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed SB 220 into law last month despite a last-minute lobbying effort from state medical associations urging a veto. But an examination of the physicians' letter reveals claims that contradict current medical cannabis research and federal guidance.

The Medical Association of Georgia, Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association, and Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics sent the letter days before Kemp's decision. Their central argument: expanding the state's low-THC oil program to include more qualifying conditions would harm public health.

SB 220 adds conditions like intractable pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Tourette syndrome to Georgia's medical cannabis registry. The state has operated a low-THC oil program since 2015, but patients have struggled with limited qualifying conditions and access issues.

The Research Gap

The physician groups claimed "there is no evidence-based medicine to support the use of medical marijuana." Yet multiple peer-reviewed studies and systematic reviews have documented therapeutic benefits for chronic pain, PTSD, and other conditions now covered under SB 220.

A 2017 National Academies of Sciences report found substantial evidence that cannabis is effective for chronic pain in adults. The Department of Veterans Affairs has acknowledged cannabis research showing promise for PTSD treatment, though it stops short of recommending use due to federal restrictions.

"The assertion that there's no evidence is simply not accurate," said Dr. Peter Grinspoon, a primary care physician and cannabis specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital. "We have decades of research from other countries and mounting evidence from U.S. states with medical programs."

The letter also raised concerns about addiction potential and youth access—both valid considerations in any medical cannabis program. But Georgia's law includes strict oversight requirements, including physician certification and a state registry system.

What Changed

SB 220 passed the Georgia Senate 38-14 in March and cleared the House 114-55 in April. The bill's supporters included patient advocacy groups who testified about traveling to other states or purchasing products on the black market.

Georgia's original 2015 law allowed low-THC cannabis oil for eight conditions, including seizure disorders and cancer. But the state didn't authorize in-state production until 2019, and the first dispensaries still haven't opened. Patients with registry cards can possess up to 20 ounces of low-THC oil but have no legal way to purchase it in Georgia.

The new law expands qualifying conditions to 17 total. It also creates a pathway for physicians to recommend cannabis for any condition they deem appropriate, though insurers won't cover the costs.

Industry Response

Georgia's licensed growers and processors welcomed the expansion. Six companies received production licenses in 2021, though none have begun operations. The delays stem from regulatory hurdles and zoning challenges.

"Adding conditions means more patients, which helps justify the infrastructure investment," said a spokesperson for one license holder, speaking on background. "But we still need the state to finalize dispensary rules."

The medical associations didn't respond to requests for comment about specific claims in their letter. The Medical Association of Georgia's website notes the organization "supports evidence-based medicine" but doesn't list positions on individual studies.

What's Next

SB 220 took effect immediately upon Kemp's signature. The Georgia Department of Public Health must now update registry applications and physician certification forms to reflect the new conditions.

Patients can begin applying for registry cards for the newly covered conditions, though they'll face the same access problem that's plagued the program since 2015. State officials have said the first dispensaries could open by late 2024, but that timeline has slipped repeatedly.

Meanwhile, Georgia's medical cannabis program remains among the most restrictive in the nation. The state allows only low-THC oil—products with no more than 5% THC—while prohibiting smoking or vaping. Thirty-eight states have legalized medical cannabis in some form, with 24 allowing adult recreational use.

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This article is based on original reporting by hightimes.com.