New Poll 66% Republicans Support Medical Marijuana
This week WSB TV 2 released a poll showing support for cannabis is growing. The poll shows 66% of likely Georgia Republican voters support marijuana as medicine.
Georgia CARE Focuses On New Legislation SB-432
According to James Bell, a lobbyist for marijuana law reform, the proposed legislation (HB-885) falls short in delivering quality, safe and legal access to cannabis. One component of the bill would give immunity from prosecution to anyone who smuggles cannabis extracts into Georgia. Bell claims the proposal encourages profiteers and patients to violate federal laws that could land someone in federal prison for ten years to life.
“HB-885 sets up yet another black market and jeopardizes the freedom of those seeking legal medicine”, Bell said. “We need to legalize cultivation of cannabis in Georgia. We need comprehensive legislation that removes cannabis from the criminal elements.”
Georgia CARE grudgingly supported HB-885 in hope that it would spark debate and culminate in a bill that would provide legal access. Instead, HB-885 is so restrictive that even sponsors say it may never get cannabis into the hands of patients.
Bell said after reading Senator Thompson’s 24 page bill (SB-432) he will focus his attention on the 2015 legislative session and begin to work toward a better bill that allows for legal cultivation, dispensing and doctors recommendations for cannabis use.
“Putting patients in criminal jeopardy is no solution to this issue. Lawmakers seem willing to entertain a broader, more comprehensive approach to cannabis therapeutics. We cannot look to states like Colorado for a solution and then turn a blind eye to a similar legislative model”, said Bell.
Georgia CARE Project advocates for marijuana law reform including decriminalization, medicalization and cultivation of industrial hemp. For more information visit www.gacareproject.com .
New medical marijuana bill offered in Georgia
Some lawmakers in Georgia have become frustrated with the way the medical marijuana bill (HB-885) has developed. In response State Senator Curt Thompson (D- 5) has filed SB-432 (Controlled Substance Therapeutic Relief Act) . The bill appears to address many of the issues raised in HB 885. While this bill was filed to late in the session to be considered, it can give guidance for medical marijuana legislation in 2015. Georgia CARE will read the bill carefully and report the findings.
To amend Chapter 34 of Title 43 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to
physicians, acupuncture, physician assistants, cancer and glaucoma treatment, respiratory
care, clinical perfusionists, and orthotics and prosthetics practice, so as to repeal provisions
relating to use of marijuana for treatment of cancer and glaucoma and provide for medical
use of marijuana; to provide for a short title; to provide for legislative findings; to provide
for definitions; to provide for additional debilitating conditions; to provide for controlled
substances therapeutic relief, limitations, and rule making; to provide for registration of
marijuana dispensaries; to provide for registration of qualifying patients and designated
caregivers; to provide for the issuance, revocation, suspension, and expiration of registry
identification cards; to provide for facility restrictions; to provide for dispensary locations;
to provide for dispensing marijuana for medical use; to provide for a verification system; to
provide for notices and civil penalties; to provide for annual reporting; to provide for
confidentiality; to provide for presumptions; to prohibit discrimination under certain
circumstances; to provide for enforcement; to provide for fingerprinting; to amend Chapter
15 of Title 48 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to excise tax on marijuana
and controlled substances, so as to repeal and reserve provisions providing tax excise
exemption for medical marijuana; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;
and for other purposes.