Author: JoeHann

    Georgia Senate passes revised version of House Bill 1 Medical Marijuana

    The Georgia Senate has passed a revised version of House Bill 1 allowing immunity from prosecution for some patients to possession a specific form of cannabis extract for. The new version now heads back the house for debate and approval. It will require the signature of the governor.

    While media is reporting it “legalizes” medical marijuana, there is no legal provision to allow for in state cultivation or extract of the medicine in Georgia. Certified patients would have to obtain the medicine from other states and risk violating other state and federal laws. You can read the bill as passed here.

    The bill would also establish a study commission to look into cultivation and promotes clinical trials for a limited number of patients. It also lists eight (8) medical conditions under the immunity proposal.

    Georgia C.A.R.E. continues to support better legislation like Senate bill 7 sponsored by Sen. Curt Thompson. We support in-state cultivation and whole plant medicine.

      Georgia Senator Curt Thompson Stands Alone Against “do nothing” Medical Marijuana Bill

      Sen. Curt Thompson was the lone NO vote against Senate Bill 185 that guts efforts to provide immunity from prosecution (HB-1) for certain patients in possession of certain cannabis derived products called “CBD Oil”.  Thompson introduced Senate Bill 7, a comprehensive bill to allow in-state cultivation and whole plant cannabis medicine.  His bill was never heard in committee.

      “I understand what this bill is… To declare victory and get out, to say you have done something but to not necessarily do something…” stated Thompson from the well, speaking to a packed Senate chamber that included both Representative Allen Peake (R – Macon) as well as Governor Nathan Deal. Senator Thompson’s message was clear, “window dressing” as Thompson would call it, would not help bring home Georgians.

        Cannabis Doctor Advocates for Georgia Medical Marijuana

        On Wednesday March 11, 2015 Peachtree N.O.R.M.L. hosted a press conference with Dr. Uma Dhanabalan. Dr. Uma has been a consultant for Peachtree N.O.R.M.L. and has been active in educating the public, media and lawmakers about the benefits of cannabis medicine. Dr. Uma has seen and treated more than 4000 patients with various forms of cannabis. She says doctors, not politicians, should be determining how cannabis should be used and which patient should use it. Dr. Uma used her day at the Georgia state capitol to meet with lawmakers and talk to the press and advocates.

        Uma V.A. Dhanabalan, MD, MPH, FAAFP, MRO is a highly respected physician trained in Family Medicine and Occupational & Environmental Medicine. She is Board certified in Occupational Medicine, Medical Review Officer and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. She received her Medical Degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of Newark, New Jersey and her Master’s Degree in Public Health specializing in Occupational & Environmental Medicine from the Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts.

        “Dr. Uma” is actively involved with multiple organizations with her passion to educate the public and patients to empower with them knowledge. She is a Cannabis Therapeutics Specialist, doing Medical Marijuana authorizations, her passion is in educating the public about cannabis and endocannabinoid system. She has an array of patients from age 18 to 96, with various medical conditions who are using medical marijuana for treatment of their illnesses. She is also a Certified in Cannabis Medicine.

        Dr Dhanabalan states “Cannabis is not an entrance drug, it is an exit drug for pharmaceuticals and narcotics.”