ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - An effort to remove THC drinks from Georgia shelves moves forward in the state legislature.

In Georgia, there is a 10-milligram limit for THC drinks. They cannot contain alcohol. They cannot be sold at a store that sells hard liquor. You can normally find them at a hemp store or a gas station.

On Thursday, the biggest Crossover Day surprise came when State Senator Randy Robertson added an amendment to a bill that would lower milligram hemp limits, suggesting instead an all-out ban on THC drinks.

The bill’s sponsor State Senator Bill Cowsert argued lower limits are necessary to protect the public from harm. He said one 10-milligram drink is equivalent to 4 beers, 4 shots or a bottle of wine.

“We are putting loaded guns in people’s hands in the form of a can or a gummy,” Cowsert said.

Sen. Robertson moved to consider his amendment shortly after Cowsert left the well.

“It’s not about those of us in this room, it’s about our children, it’s about my five granddaughters, it’s about your children. Think of the world they’re coming to while we are making these fast decisions about something that we have limited studies on,” Robertson said.

The measure passed 42-14 with the amendment added.

On Friday, many hemp companies were still reeling from the blowback. Omari Anderson said there were no signs this drastic move was coming.

“It felt like a slap in the face, it almost felt un-American,” Anderson said.

Anderson created The Best Dirty Lemonade drink using his mother’s lemonade recipe and cannabis extract. His mother died in 2019 after battling Alzheimer’s disease. The drink he made was the only thing he found that seemed to help her eat and sleep.

“I asked my mom to try them and she loved them. It’s like my mother’s legacy lives on through our business now,” Anderson said.

Anderson fears what will happen to his business if the bill passes. He exclusively sells drinks and shelled out $300,000 last October.

“We’re doing our best to follow the rules, but it seems like every time we do, they just move the goalpost,” Anderson said.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Georgia has more than 4100 licensed hemp businesses. Most are retailers like Hemp Haven in Decatur. Owner Diana Padron sells the Best Dirty Lemonade. She worries for him and other small business owners and the customers who have come to like his products

Padron said the idea that an all-out ban is needed to protect children is nuts.

“They’ve already changed the laws. You can’t purchase any of these products without showing ID, being 21 years of age, you can’t get through the door without being 21,” Padron said.

Padron said attacks on the hemp industry continue, while she’s seen little regulation to the tobacco and alcohol industries.

“I know people that will buy a 12-pack of beer and go through it in one night. I know ladies that will buy a bottle of wine, sometimes two if they’re with friends. I believe that adults should have the freedom to choose what they put in their bodies,” Padron said.

The bill advances to the House with several hurdles ahead. There is an effort forming to oppose it with the changes.

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