Robert Celt
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A committee in the Georgia House of Representatives took up a watered-down version of a medical marijuana bill Monday.
The new version would eliminate a provision that would have allowed medical cannabis to be cultivated in Georgia.
"That was the heart of the bill," Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, the legislation's chief sponsor, told members of the House Judiciary (Non-civil) Committee.
But Peake acknowledged the cultivation component had to come out of the bill to make it politically palatable to enough lawmakers to get it through the General Assembly.
"Cultivation for profit was very problematic, so we had to find another way," said Rep. Rich Golick, R-Smyrna, the committee's chairman. "This has a much better shot at enactment."
The new version of the bill would expand the diseases that would qualify patients in Georgia to possess cannabis oil. A bill the General Assembly passed unanimously last year was aimed at patients with epilepsy and other seizure disorders, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, mitochondrial disease, Parkinson's disease, sickle cell anemia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
This year's bill would increase the list to also include patients suffering from autism spectrum disorder, HIV, neuropathy, Tourette's syndrome, terminal illness, colitis and intractable bowel syndrome.
The legislation also would provide immunity from criminal liability to mail-order companies that ship cannabis oil to patients authorized by a physician and a state-issued registration card to receive the drug.
While Peake supports the amended bill, he said the issue of cultivating medical cannabis in Georgia won't go away.
"Our citizens have spoken very clearly that they want us to find a safe, regulated solution for cultivating medical cannabis in Georgia," he said.
The committee is expected to vote on the bill later this week.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Watered-Down Medical Marijuana Bill Surfaces In Georgia House
Author: Dave Williams
Contact: Atlanta Business Journal
Photo Credit: Rusty Blazenhoff
Website: Atlanta Business Journal
The new version would eliminate a provision that would have allowed medical cannabis to be cultivated in Georgia.
"That was the heart of the bill," Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, the legislation's chief sponsor, told members of the House Judiciary (Non-civil) Committee.
But Peake acknowledged the cultivation component had to come out of the bill to make it politically palatable to enough lawmakers to get it through the General Assembly.
"Cultivation for profit was very problematic, so we had to find another way," said Rep. Rich Golick, R-Smyrna, the committee's chairman. "This has a much better shot at enactment."
The new version of the bill would expand the diseases that would qualify patients in Georgia to possess cannabis oil. A bill the General Assembly passed unanimously last year was aimed at patients with epilepsy and other seizure disorders, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, mitochondrial disease, Parkinson's disease, sickle cell anemia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
This year's bill would increase the list to also include patients suffering from autism spectrum disorder, HIV, neuropathy, Tourette's syndrome, terminal illness, colitis and intractable bowel syndrome.
The legislation also would provide immunity from criminal liability to mail-order companies that ship cannabis oil to patients authorized by a physician and a state-issued registration card to receive the drug.
While Peake supports the amended bill, he said the issue of cultivating medical cannabis in Georgia won't go away.
"Our citizens have spoken very clearly that they want us to find a safe, regulated solution for cultivating medical cannabis in Georgia," he said.
The committee is expected to vote on the bill later this week.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Watered-Down Medical Marijuana Bill Surfaces In Georgia House
Author: Dave Williams
Contact: Atlanta Business Journal
Photo Credit: Rusty Blazenhoff
Website: Atlanta Business Journal
