Georgia CommonsHouse · Introduced · 2025-2026 Regular Session
HB 206: Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act of 1990; repeal Article 2 of Chapter 1
Last action March 6, 2026 · House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute
A House committee substitute for HB206 would stop Georgia from cutting off state college loans, scholarships, and HOPE grants to students convicted only of simple marijuana possession for personal use.
The summaries below were written by an AI model (claude-sonnet-5) from the text of the bill and are not part of it. Quote the text, not the summary. The stored text is the Comm Sub version, the latest the General Assembly's website lists.
In plain language
Georgia law currently makes students ineligible for certain state-funded college loans, the HOPE scholarship, and HOPE grants if they are convicted of a felony involving marijuana, another controlled substance, or a dangerous drug. This substitute bill narrows that penalty specifically for marijuana. It adds language to several sections of Georgia's education code saying a student cannot be denied these loans, scholarships, or grants solely because of a conviction for simple possession of marijuana for personal use. The bill defines 'possession of marijuana for personal use' as a conviction that does not involve intent to distribute, manufacture, sell, or traffic, and does not involve more marijuana than the amount that qualifies as misdemeanor possession under Georgia's drug law (O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2). The change applies to four types of state aid: need and merit-based direct student loans, graduate on-time loans, education for public service loans, and HOPE scholarships and grants. Other felony drug convictions still trigger the existing ineligibility rule.
What the bill does
- Amends four sections of Georgia's education code so a marijuana possession conviction for personal use no longer disqualifies a student from certain state loans, HOPE scholarships, or HOPE grants.
- Defines 'possession of marijuana for personal use' as a conviction lacking intent to distribute, manufacture, sell, or traffic, and below the misdemeanor weight threshold in O.C.G.A. § 16-13-2.
- Leaves in place the existing rule that a felony conviction involving marijuana, controlled substances, or dangerous drugs still makes a student ineligible for these programs.
- Adds a new subsection to the HOPE scholarship and grant eligibility law (O.C.G.A. § 20-3-519.1) explicitly protecting students with personal-use marijuana convictions.
Who it affects
College and university students in Georgia who receive or apply for need-based and merit-based state loans, graduate on-time loans, public service loans, or HOPE scholarships and grants, particularly those with a past conviction for simple marijuana possession rather than a distribution-related felony.
Why it matters
Students previously barred from state financial aid for a personal-use marijuana conviction would keep access to loans and HOPE funding, potentially affecting whether they can afford to stay enrolled or finish a degree after such a conviction.
Key provisions
- Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 20-3-395.4 so need and merit-based direct student loans are not denied for personal-use marijuana possession convictions.
- Section 2 makes the same change to graduate on-time student loans under O.C.G.A. § 20-3-400.6.
- Section 3 makes the same change to education for public service student loans under O.C.G.A. § 20-3-405.7.
- Section 4 amends HOPE scholarship and grant eligibility rules in O.C.G.A. § 20-3-519.1, adding a new subsection defining and protecting personal-use marijuana convictions from disqualifying students.
- Section 5 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision.
From the bill
“no student shall be deemed ineligible for any loan described in this subpart because of a conviction for an offense based solely on the possession of marijuana for personal use.”
“the term 'possession of marijuana for personal use' means a conviction for possession of marijuana that does not include an element of intent to distribute, manufacture, sell, or traffic”
Discussed in meetings (3)
The House and Senate meetings that took this bill up, from their machine transcripts. Each account was written by Georgia Commons with AI and is not part of the record; the video is what was said.
House Higher Education Committee, February 23, 2026
From 0:39:37 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 206 originally proposed repealing the Drug-free Postsecondary Education Act but was being narrowed to preserve HOPE Scholarship eligibility for people convicted of possessing marijuana for personal use. The sponsor argued that access to education and employment strengthens families and reduces repeat offenses. The chair described the goal as preventing a single offense from being the sole reason for losing access to loans and HOPE. Some members did not have the intended substitute. The chair said help had been requested from House Judiciary to define personal use more precisely, potentially through a specified amount. Asked whether the proposal covered drugs other than cannabis, the sponsor said the original bill did, but the revised approach would cover cannabis only. Another member expressed support and noted letters supporting the legislation. The chair requested corrected language and anticipated another hearing Wednesday. No vote was taken.
House Higher Education Committee, March 6, 2026
From 1:00:52 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: In presenting the proposal that the chair clarified was HB 206, the sponsor said people with prior drug convictions should not lose HOPE Scholarship eligibility and should be able to remain productive members of society. The chair described revised personal-use language as narrowly drawn to avoid loss of loans or scholarships over misdemeanor-level conduct. The sponsor said the revision excluded people trafficking large quantities of drugs from that protection. No substantive questions followed. The committee approved a do-pass recommendation and sent the measure to Rules by voice vote, with opposition heard but no count stated.
House Rules Committee, March 6, 2026
From 0:49:42 · Watch on the General Assembly's Vimeo channel
Summary by Georgia Commons: The sponsor said HB 206 would allow people convicted of marijuana possession to remain eligible for the HOPE Scholarship. The sponsor argued that continuing education would help recipients become productive community members and support public safety. The chair indicated that the bill would be available later that day. No decision was recorded.
Status timeline
- House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
- House Second Readers (House)
- House First Readers (House)
- House Hopper (House)
Sponsors
- Eric Bell (D, HD-75)
- Jordan Ridley (R, HD-22)
- David Clark (R, HD-100)
- Jasmine Clark (D, HD-108)
- Edna Jackson (D, HD-165)
- Anne Allen Westbrook (D, HD-163)
Topics
- marijuana law
- student financial aid
- HOPE scholarship
- college loans
- drug convictions