The intent of this chapter is to:
(1) Promote exploration of the cultivation and processing of hemp and the potential to open up new commercial markets for farmers and businesses through the sale of hemp products;(2) Explore expansion of the state's hemp industry and allow farmers and businesses to begin to cultivate, handle, and process hemp and sell hemp products for commercial purposes;(3) Encourage and empower research into growing hemp and creating hemp products at universities and in the private sector;(4) Ultimately move the state and its citizens to the forefront of the hemp industry;(5) Balance the desire to explore the cultivation and processing of hemp with public health, safety, and welfare regarding the potential for unwanted and unlawful uses of chemical elements of hemp; and(6) Enable the department, hemp grower licensees, and universities to promote the cultivation and processing of hemp and the commercial sale of hemp products.Amended by 2024 Ga. Laws 498,§ 2, eff. 10/1/2024.Added by 2019 Ga. Laws 314,§ 1, eff. 5/10/2019.