Category: Activisim

    Open Letter to: Georgia Joint Study Committee on Medical Cannabis

    Open Letter to: Georgia Joint Study Committee on Medical Cannabis 2014

    Rep. Allen Peake (R – Macon), Co-Chair
    Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford), Co-Chair
    Sen. Dean Burke (R – Bainbridge)
    Sen. Butch Miller (R – Gainesville)
    Sen. Curt Thompson (D – Tucker)
    Rep. Rich Golick (R – Smyrna)
    Rep. Micah Gravley (R – Douglasville)
    Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D – Atlanta)

    From: James Bell  Director: Georgia Campaign for Access, Reform & Education (Georgia C.A.R.E. Project)

    December 2, 2014

    Dear Honorable Committee Members,

    Thank you for your service to our state. I wish to commend you on your efforts to study the benefits of Cannabis as medicine. Your efforts have advanced the knowledge, the reality and the hope that cannabis will be available in the state of Georgia in the near future.

    In particular, I would like to thank Rep. Allen Peake for making this a signature issue that has advanced the debate and moved us closer to legal access.

    I would also like to thank Sen. Curt Thompson for his willingness to broaden the debate and create a pathway to more comprehensive legislation that will benefit more patients and potentially provide relief from pain and disease to so many others in need.

    While some want to see patients with epilepsy get access, others want to use the whole plant and allow the science to dictate what part of the cannabis plant should be used and for which medical conditions it may benefit.

    When comparing cannabis to drugs current available, the relative safety of cannabis, used under medical supervision, is undeniable. As with all medicines there are risks and benefits that must be weighed.

    One issue we must overcome is the taboo of THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and other compounds found in this plant. I assume all of you are aware that some of the children being treated in Colorado and other states are in fact receiving THC and other compounds with beneficial results.

    You’ve heard from patients with chronic pain, PTSD, cancer, glaucoma and many other medical condition seeking access. Some have even testified that in spite of the prohibition in Georgia they have acquired the medicine on the black-market. Many of those conditions are treated with whole plant and/or various compounds, not CBD only.

    It is unconscionable that Georgia would allow producers to grow this valuable plant, extract CBD compounds and then be forced to destroy all other compounds based on politics not science.

    As we move forward, we hope all legislation will be considered based on its merit and efficacy not based on taboos, prejudice and misconceptions.

      Marijuana Legalization Bill Filed in Georgia

      A state senator is proposing to fully legalize marijuana in Georgia, providing Colorado-style access at licensed retail shops while also allowing its use through medical providers for treatment of conditions including cancer, glaucoma and HIV/AIDS.

      State Sen. Curt Thompson, D-Norcross, filed the joint proposals Monday for consideration by the state Legislature next year. The legislative session starts Jan. 12.

      Thompson’s Senate Bill 7 would allow doctors to prescribe marijuana of up to two ounces for specific debilitating medical conditions and its use would be strictly regulated by the state.

      Additionally, Senate Resolution 6 is a proposed amendment to the state constitution. Requiring voter approval, it would legalize, regulate and tax the sale of retail marijuana. Tax revenue from the sale of marijuana would be constitutionally earmarked for education and transportation infrastructure. From AJC.com

        From Georgia C.A.R.E. Director James Bell

        Hello Friends and Supporters,

        Here’s something new!

        November marks the second anniversary of Georgia C.A.R.E. Project. With your help we have become a leader in the cannabis reform movement in Georgia. We have hosted rallies and forums on college campuses, spoke at civic meetings, lobbied legislators and testified before committee hearings, conducted media interviews and radio and TV talk shows and distributed tens of thousands of fliers and brochures.

        Today we are at a crossroad. We must determine what our focus will be over the next two years. Should we focused on cannabis medicine only? Should we advocate for criminal justice reform? Is industrial hemp an issue for us? Should we be doing it all?

        As a volunteer organization we are limited to the time spent each week on reform matters. Do we want a full time advocate? Can we raise the funds needed to grow our project?

        These are just some of the issues we face as we move forward.

        The next 2 months will be a busy time for Georgia C.A.R.E. Hearings, meetings, forums, interviews are on the calendar.

        We need your support. Can you donate? Volunteer? Do you have a talent or skill to offer?

        We are organizing a “Cannabis Ambassadors” program for people like you who want to be more involved – volunteers we can count on to help organize and advocate for reform. We will have more information on this program later this month.

        Take a look at what’s in store for C.A.R.E. over the next few months.

        November 12: Medical Cannabis Hearing – Augusta Ga. At Georgia Regents University 1:00 pm -3:00 pm
        November 20: Public Forum – with James Bell – Morehouse University – Atlanta – 6:30 pm
        November 13: Taping – “Doc Talk with Dr. Jeffrey Gallups” on WGST 640 AM – Airs 8:00 am Sundays
        December 3: Final medical cannabis hearing – Georgia State Capitol – 1:00 pm
        January 11: Wild Hog Supper – Georgia Railroad Depot – 5:30 – 7:30 pm – Food Bank Fundraiser
        January 12: Start of Legislative Session – Georgia General Assembly – Gold Dome Atlanta
        January 15: Forum on Cannabis Re-Legalization Jeff Maxwell Library – 5:00 – 6:30pm Augusta GA

        These are just some of the events coming up over the next few months.

        Georgia C.A.R.E. will continue to be a voice for reform and reason. With your partnership we can change the laws and bring compassion and justice to the state of Georgia.

        For Compassion, Freedom and Justice
        James Bell – Founder / Director Georgia C.A.R.E.