HR 368: Joint Study Committee on Intoxicating Cannabinoids in Consumable Hemp Products; create

Georgia currently regulates consumable hemp products but has not set limits on intoxicating substances found in hemp beyond delta-9-THC, such as delta-8-THC, THCA, and HHC. This resolution creates the House Study Committee on Intoxicating Cannabinoids in Consumable Hemp Products to look into these substances before any restrictions are written into law. The committee would have five House members appointed by the Speaker, who also names the chairperson. It would study the issue, hold meetings, and can recommend legislation. Members get standard legislative allowances (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five days unless more are approved, funded through the House's existing budget. The committee must file a report or meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House before it is abolished on December 31, 2025. The resolution also directs the committee to consider whether Georgia should impose an excise tax on consumable hemp products, especially hemp beverages.

• Creates a five-member House study committee, appointed by the Speaker, to examine intoxicating cannabinoids in hemp products.
• Directs the committee to study substances like delta-8-THC, THCA, and HHC that are not currently restricted under Georgia's hemp laws.
• Authorizes the committee to recommend legislation on restricting these substances and possibly taxing consumable hemp products.
• Sets standard legislative per diem allowances for committee members for up to five meeting days, funded from the House's budget.
• Requires the committee to file a report or meeting minutes with the Clerk of the House before it disbands.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 31, 2025.

Members of the Georgia House of Representatives appointed to the committee, businesses in the consumable hemp and hemp beverage industry, law enforcement officers, government agencies involved in hemp regulation, and members of the public who use or sell hemp products containing cannabinoids like delta-8-THC.

The findings could shape future Georgia restrictions on intoxicating hemp substances currently sold with little regulation, and could lead to a new excise tax on hemp products, particularly beverages, affecting how these products are produced, sold, and priced in the state.

• Paragraph 1 creates the House Study Committee on Intoxicating Cannabinoids in Consumable Hemp Products.
• Paragraph 2 sets committee membership at five House members chosen by the Speaker, who also designates the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 gives the committee power to study the issues and recommend legislation it finds necessary.
• Paragraph 5 sets member allowances under O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8, capped at five days unless additional days are authorized, funded by the House of Representatives.
• Paragraph 6 requires a report, if adopted by majority vote, to be filed with the Clerk of the House before abolishment; minutes may substitute if no report is approved.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 31, 2025.

1. 2025-04-04House Withdrawn, Recommitted (House)
2. 2025-03-27House Committee Favorably Reported By Substitute (House)
3. 2025-02-27House Second Readers (House)
4. 2025-02-26House First Readers (House)
5. 2025-02-24House Hopper (House)

• Steven Sainz (R, HD-180)Primary sponsor
• Bill Werkheiser (R, HD-157)
• Ron Stephens (R, HD-164)
• Mandi Ballinger (R, HD-23)
• Rick Townsend (R, HD-179)

• hemp regulation
• cannabinoids
• THC products
• excise tax
• study committee