Tag: Georgia CARE

    News Release: GA C.A.R.E. / N.O.R.M.L. Brings Medical Marijuana to the Gold Dome… Literally

    Georgia C.A.R.E. and Peachtree N.O.R.M.L. have joined forces to bring Elvy Musikka to Atlanta on Feb.10th. Elvy is one of only four federal medical marijuana patients allowed to legally possess cannabis. She will bring a canister of cannabis to the Georgia State Capitol in an effort to educate the public, media and lawmakers. Join us for the rally on Feb 10th 1 pm at Liberty Plaza across from the Gold Dome.

    *Medical Patient to Bring Medical Marijuana to the Georgia State Capitol*

    Atlanta GA: In a effort to educate the public, media and lawmakers about the use of whole plant medical marijuana, a federally approved patient will bring her medicine (cannabis) to the Georgia State Capitol for the Rally for Peace, Justice and Unity at 1:00 PM on February 10th at Liberty Plaza at the Georgia State capitol, hosted by Peachtree N.O.R.M.L. The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws.

    Elvy Musikka, 75, from Eugene OR, is one of four remaining patients approved to receive legal marijuana under the Compassionate Investigational New Drug Program, or IND. The program allows patients to use a smokable form of marijuana grown at the University of Mississippi and delivered through the mail monthly. The program is administered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and closed to new entrants.

    Elvy will bring her canister of legal pre-rolled cannabis cigarettes to Atlanta for the rally and interviews with members of the Georgia media.

    Sharon Ravert, director of Peachtree N.O.R.M.L. said the goal is to show Georgia we have nothing to fear from the whole plant. In fact for many it is the only option.

    “23 other states provide safe access to whole plant medical marijuana, Georgia should follow their lead and provide for in-state cultivation, whole plant medicine and we must stop treating patients like criminals”, Ravert said. “If marijuana is safe and effective for a 75 year old to treat her glaucoma for 40 years, and travel the world with, it is safe enough to enact laws that provides medicine here in Georgia.”

    THC, one of the active compounds of cannabis, is used to treat glaucoma and other medical conditions. Smoking cannabis is often preferred by patients because of the immediate relief they receive. Edible products are not provided under the federal IND program.

    In 1979, Georgia was one of the first states in the nation to approve medical marijuana for treatment of cancer related conditions and glaucoma.

      Governor Nathan Deal Kills Medical Marijuana Bill

      Atlanta GA: The headline screamed “Gov Deal Supports New Medical Marijuana Bill”. What it did not say was this “new bill” essentially killed any efforts to get legal cannabis medicine to the people of Georgia. House Bill 1, sponsored by Rep Allen Peake (R) is DEAD!

      “They have pulled the wool over our eyes and pulled the rug out from under the citizens of Georgia that support medical marijuana”, said James Bell director of Georgia C.A.R.E. Project. “They have betrayed the will and desire of the people of Georgia with their political shenanigans.”

      Until last Friday (Jan. 9), advocates were being told by Rep. Allen Peake that medical marijuana was on track for the 2015 legislative session. But Deal and Peake has agreed upon a back room deal undermining the efforts.

      Instead of a bill allowing for cannabis cultivation and formulation of cannabis extracts in-state, the new version according to Peake and Deal would offer some form of “immunity” from prosecution for certain people able to smuggle the CBD/THC extracts from other states. This was revealed Friday in controlled public relations event staged in the governors office with a reporter from WSB TV news.

      “Disappointment does not describe our feeling in this matter”, said James Bell. “The least we expected was a fair hearing on HB-1 during the session. Instead, Allen Peake gave into the demands of Gov. Deal and left the sick children to deal with their medical conditions on their own. Lawmakers look to states like Colorado for the answer but refuse to implement a similar policy.”

      According to Bell, Allen Peake is setting up patients to violate federal and other state’s laws concerning possessing and transporting a controlled substance across state lines. Patients and parents would essentially become drug smugglers and only certain people would be immune from prosecution.

      Georgia C.A.R.E. encourages the public to abandon Allen Peake’s efforts with HB-1 and focus attention on Senate Bill 7 authored by Sen. Curt Thompson (D).

      “We know the general assembly supports medical cannabis, we know the public overwhelmingly supports it, so why did Allen Peake cave into the demands of the governor? POLITICS !”

        Morehouse College Forum on Marijuana Legalization

        Georgia C.A.R.E. director James Bell has been invited by the Morehouse Junior Class Bonner Scholars to speak at a forum on Marijuana Legalization on Thursday November 20th – 6:30 pm on campus. “Up In Smoke” forum will cover topics such as how marijuana laws affects educational and career opportunities, being an activist, medical cannabis and industrial hemp. The public is invited.