§ 16-12-235.1. Possession of Thc Oil and Products by Colleges and Universities for Research Purposes; Permitting Requirements; Inspection

1. The commission shall issue permits for colleges and universities located within the State of Georgia to possess limited quantities of low THC oil and products for purposes of conducting medical research via a bona fide partnership with a Class 1 or Class 2 licensee. Such permits shall be for a Georgia based college or university that:
   1. Is a member of the University System of Georgia, or an independent college or university accredited by a higher education accrediting body with comparable academic standards to those utilized by member institutions of the University System of Georgia;
   2. Has a campus that has been located at a physical location within the state for at least 20 years, and a full-time enrollment of at least 200 Georgia students during the past year;
   3. Is proposing a research partnership that is, in the sole judgment of the commission, fully compliant with the laws of this article; and
   4. Is proposing a research partnership that has been approved by the primary institutional review board located at such institution.
2. Any such permit issued pursuant to this Code section shall specify:
   1. The individuals at the institution authorized to work with low THC oil;
   2. The primary objectives of the research study;
   3. The physical location on campus where the low THC oil will be stored, and security measures in place to prevent unauthorized use of such low THC oil;
   4. The method of transporting low THC oil from a licensed production facility to the campus;
   5. The method of returning low THC oil to a licensed production facility at the conclusion of the study; and
   6. The beginning and end date of the study.
3. Any institution which receives a permit pursuant to this Code section shall provide on-demand access to facilities for inspection when requested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the commission, or the local law enforcement agency for the jurisdiction in which the facility is located.

History. Code 1981, § 16-12-235.1 , enacted by Ga. L. 2021, p. 184, § 24/SB 195.

Effective date. —

This Code section became effective July 1, 2021.

Cross references.

Establishment of the Low THC Oil Patient Registry, § 31-2A-18.

Hemp research by colleges and universities, § 2-23-4 .

Editor’s notes.

Ga. L. 2021, p. 184, § 28/SB 195, not codified by the General Assembly, provides that: “Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to change, amend, or alter any criteria for applications for a Class 1 or Class 2 production license submitted to the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission on or prior to January 27, 2021.”