Marijuana Business Factbook 2019

67 © Copyright 2020, Marijuana Business Daily , a division of Anne Holland Ventures Inc. You may NOT copy this Factbook, or make public the data and facts contained herein, in part or in whole. For more copies or editorial permissions, contact CustomerService@MJBizDaily.com or call (720) 213-5992, ext. 1. State-By-State: Legal Overview, Market Data and Outlook | Chapter 2 MJBIZDAILY.COM SUMMARY What to watch in 2020 Gov. Brian Kemp brokered a deal between the state’s conflicted House and Senate to bring about the passage of HB 324 in early 2019, providing commercial medical cannabis production and sales in a state that has had an affirmative defense law since 2015. Kemp, along with Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and House Speaker David Ralston, will appoint a seven-member board to oversee licensing and regulation called the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission. The board will have significant power over what happens next for the state. However, in the months since HB 324 was signed, no one has been appointed to the new commission―meaning Georgia’s new MMJ market has effectively stalled for the time being. Marijuana Business Opportunity Rank for 2020 C- With only six producer/processor licenses available and sales expected to run through pharmacies rather than independent dispensaries, limited business opportunities are available for Georgia marijuana entrepreneurs. Patient counts are likely to increase with commercial production and sales, but some people may be put off by the state’s restrictions on dry flower, edibles and vaping - not to mention the 5% THC potency limit. These constraints could also suppress opportunity for ancillary companies― and may dampen enthusiasm for participation by multistate operators. And until seats are filled on Georgia’s Access to Medical Cannabis Commission board, there’s no timeline for when sales could begin.