Georgia's SB 494, which took effect October 1, 2024, applies a total-THC test — Delta-9 plus THCA multiplied by 0.877, capped at 0.3% dry weight — years ahead of the federal government adopting similar logic under Section 781's November 2026 deadline.
The law also bans retail sale of hemp flower and leaf in Georgia regardless of cannabinoid content, while extracts, tinctures, and gummies that meet the total-THC cap remain legal in the state. Georgia's approach is frequently cited by regulatory trackers as a preview of what the national hemp retail market may look like once the federal total-THC standard takes effect.
Our total-THC testing explainer breaks down exactly how the 0.877 conversion factor works and why it reclassifies so much current hemp flower.
Sources: Cannabis Inquirer Georgia coverage, Minnesota Dept. of Agriculture total-THC guidance.