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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp Signs Legislation to Support Agricultural Industry and Protect Against Foreign Adversaries
In a bold move to protect Georgia’s ever-growing agricultural industry and defend against foreign adversaries, Republican Governor Brian Kemp signed a legislative package on Tuesday.
The package, described by Kemp’s office as “focused on supporting Georgia’s agricultural industry and improving security against foreign adversaries,” tackles a range of issues including ownership of agricultural land, high input costs for farmers, and protection against misleading marketing.
“As valued members of our state’s number one industry, Georgia’s farming families deserve our enduring support as they face unprecedented challenges,” Kemp stated. “We are tackling these challenges head on, and I want to thank our legislative partners for their work on these important issues.”
Protecting Children and Farmers: SB 494
One of the measures included in the package, SB 494, aims to protect children from misleading and dangerous marketing by making changes to the regulation of hemp in Georgia. The bill grants the Georgia Department of Agriculture greater oversight and enforcement power, and also adds labeling, packaging, and marketing requirements.
Specifically, SB 494 establishes licensing requirements for growing hemp and limits the possession and sale of hemp products to adults over 21 years of age. This measure is crucial in ensuring the safety of children and consumers, as well as supporting the fast-growing hemp industry in Georgia.
Supporting Georgia’s Growing Hemp Industry
The Capitol Beat News Service reports that hemp farming in Georgia is a rapidly expanding industry, with the majority of jobs and investments located outside of the metro-Atlanta counties. Governor Kemp praised the private-sector companies for creating opportunities for Georgians to succeed, regardless of their zip code.
Georgia’s decision to legalize hemp farming follows the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, which made hemp-derived products legal under federal law. While recreational cannabis remains illegal in the state, medical cannabis treatment was legalized in 2015 with the passage of the Haleigh’s Hope Act. This allowed eligible patients access to low-THC cannabis oil.
In 2019, the Georgia General Assembly passed another measure authorizing the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to oversee the regulated licensing of limited, in-state cultivation, production, manufacturing, and sale of low-THC oil. This bill was also signed into law by Governor Kemp.
With these measures in place, Georgia is taking a proactive stance in protecting its agricultural industry and ensuring the safety of its citizens. Governor Kemp’s leadership and collaboration with legislative partners is commendable in addressing these important issues.
