Author: JoeHann

    Athens Human Rights Festival – Marijuana is a Human Right

    Georgia C.A.R.E. Project director James Bell will be speaking this Saturday at the 37th Annual Athens Human Rights Festival in downtown Athens GA.

    Originally created to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the Kent State murders, the Human Rights Festival is a two-day event dedicated to promoting free speech and confronting issues that challenge human rights. Throughout the festival, activists and members of various community, national and global organizations take to the main stage to discuss important social and political topics. In between speakers, live music performances entertain the festival crowd. As always, information booths line the streets, and children’s activities and youth performances are available for our younger attendees.

    The free festival is from 10 a.m.–12 a.m. on Saturday, May 2nd and 2–9 p.m. on Sunday, May 3rd.

    James Bell will be speaking on Saturday May 2nd at 4:30 pm. We hope you can attend!

      Breaking News: Gov. Nathan Deal signs medical marijuana bill

      As Reported by WSB TV :  ATLANTA — With a stroke of a pen, Governor Nathan Deal has made medical marijuana legal in Georgia.

      Deal signed the bill into law at 11 a.m. that makes the use of cannabis oil legal for eight medical conditions:

      Cancer, when such diagnosis is end stage or the treatment produces related wasting illness, recalcitrant nausea and vomiting.

      Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), when such diagnosis is severe or end stage.

      Seizure disorders related to diagnosis of epilepsy or trauma related head injuries.

      Multiple Sclerosis, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage.

      Crohn’s Disease

      Mitochondrial Disease

      Parkinson’s Disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage.

      Sickle Cell Disease, when such diagnosis is severe or end stage.

      State health officials say doctors will have to sign off and submit required forms.

      The two year battle among lawmakers, medical marijuana supporters and health officials ended with the passage of Haleigh’s Hope Act.

      Approved Georgia patients will be allowed to possess 20 ounces of the low THC oil at any given time.  THC is the chemical in marijuana that causes a high.

      The Department of Public Health will be working with law enforcement to make sure the system is secure and that officers know what to look for when they come across a patient possessing the oil.

      They say they have no idea how many patients to expect, but as many as 500,000 could qualify.