HB 847 amends Chapter 23 of Title 2 of the OCGA to provide definitions, penalties, and background checks for hemp farming. The bill defines the term, ‘key participant’ as a sole proprietor, partner, or person with managerial control of a corporation and the term, ‘hemp products’ to only include the completely defoliated mature stalks, stalk fiber, or sterilized seeds of a cannabis plant.

All Georgia colleges and universities are authorized to conduct hemp farming research and engage third parties for assistance in research. Georgia licensees may provide or sell hemp with a person who is not a Georgia licensee/permittee as long as that person is located in a state with proper hemp regulations. Georgia licensees may also sell hemp to any Georgia college or university.

Key participants will be required to provide at least one set of electronically recorded fingerprints to the Georgia Department of Agriculture, which will, ultimately, be submitted to Federal Bureau of Investigation for a background check. All transported hemp or hemp products must have proper documentation indicating that it meets federal guidelines.

Lastly, the bill increases the initial permit fee for a hemp processor from $25,000 to $50,000.  The Georgia Department of Agriculture has the right to collect hemp testing samples prior to any hemp being harvested.