ATLANTA - State Representative Terry Cummings (D-Mableton) applauds Senate Bill 220, also known as the Putting Georgia's Patients First Act, which went into effect yesterday, July 1, 2026.

"This legislation represents the most significant expansion of our state's medical cannabis program to date, ensuring that qualifying patients no longer have to choose between effective treatment and lawful compliance," said Rep. Cummings. "I attended the Truelieve event in Marietta, Georgia yesterday and met with residents who will benefit directly from this legislation. By modernizing outdated regulations, SB 220 provides vital relief to thousands of Georgians who previously faced barriers to care. This bipartisan legislation ensures our program is aligned with modern medical practices and-most importantly-puts the needs of Georgia's patients first. The Georgia House remains committed to working alongside the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission to ensure a safe, regulated and compassionate rollout of these new provisions."

SB 220 expands the forms of authorized medical cannabis to include vaporization, oils and raw plant materials for qualified patients and removes the five percent cap on THC products used in medical cannabis, as well as sets a 1,200 milligram per-package limit. The bill restricts licensees from advertising or marketing medical cannabis to the public, and licensees can only provide information about products directly to physicians and healthcare providers. The bill updates the definition of "caregiver" to include an adult designated by a patient and a health care institution where a patient is receiving health care. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Public Health to issue an electronic registration card or physical registration card, which would expire after five years.

SB 220 was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on May 12, 2026, and went into effect across the state yesterday, July 1, 2026.

To view the full text of SB 220, please click here.

*Editor's note: Rep. Cummings includes a photo from the Truelieve event.

Representative Terry Cummings represents the citizens of District 39, which includes a portion of Cobb County. She was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022 and currently serves on the Banks & Banking, Public Safety and Homeland Security and State Properties committees.

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