Tag: Georgia

    Georgia U.S. Senate candidates speak out on medical marijuana

    WTVM.com reports on senate candidate’s thoughts on medical marijuana.

    We asked the question: “What are your thoughts on using marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state of Georgia?

    Candidate Derrick Grayson’s response: “An absolute yes…It should not have been a question. However, the way in which the game of politics is constantly played with the lives of people there are folks that attached other things to that bill, causing it to not pass. It’s just a shame, but those are the things that the American people are not aware of. They play games with people’s lives and they shouldn’t.”

    Candidate Jack Kingston’s answer: “I oppose it. The legislature looked at it this time and voted it down, but we’ll let the legislature make that decision.”

    Candidate Paul Broun‘s response: “Though there are valid uses of marijuana for medical purposes under the direction of a doctor being available for indicated purposes.”

    Candidate Karen Handel‘s answer: Fortunately, here in Georgia, the state is really looking at a way to make it available, especially for those young children who are suffering seizures over and over again during the day. We want to make sure we can use every tool at our disposal to make them as comfortable as possible.”

      Georgia Medical Marijuana Underground Exposed

      The Augusta Chronicle reports on Georgia medical marijuana underground. In spite of laws prohibiting cannabis as medicine, patients are seeking out their own source for the medicine. Here’s the story……

      Even without a law to cover them in Georgia, dozens and maybe hundreds of people in the Augusta area are using marijuana or a derivative to treat ailments, one activist said.

      Medical marijuana activist Maison Harley said their shadowy use clamors for the state to extend legal protection amid an evolving understanding of the potential health benefits of cannabis.

      “That’s the gray area that all of these families are having to go into,” he said. “Most of them have taken it upon themselves to find these products via any means necessary.”

        Georgia Medical Marijuana Patient Arrested – faces 4 years in prison

        Terry Altier is spending what he tells us will be the final days of his life in his Soperton home, but he may soon have to spend them in jail for growing medical marijuana.

        “I live with two thirds of my body in severe nerve pain,” Altier said.

        Altier told me, his doctors have diagnosed him with a degenerative nerve disorder and spinal injury, and says he hasn’t been given long to live.

        “They discovered my body could not tolerate the strong narcotics of morphine…and a whole myriad of other very strong opiates,” he said.

        So he showed us prescription bottles for a medicine called Marinol, a legal form of synthetic THC for his pain.

        “The name brand is $3700 for a month prescription. For the generic which they came out with probably about eight years ago…it’s $900,” he said.

        But after Altier’s partner died, the pills became difficult to afford, so he planted seven marijuana plants on his property and used them to help curb his pain.

        The Truetlen County Sheriff’s Office discovered the plants and arrested Altier. He was convicted of marijuana charges and could be sentenced Tuesday to four years in jail.

        “There’s a man who could not afford the medication that was prescribed to him, so he’s growing it himself to do what the medication would otherwise do and that makes it a felony,” said Jonathan Morrison, who is representing Altier.

        Altier’s neighbor and caregiver Henry Herndon says if he gets the maximum sentence he doesn’t think he’ll survive.

        “For as sick as he is to give him four years in prison — that would kill him,” Herndon said.

        If Altier doesn’t get the maximum sentence he says he plans to move as soon as possible.

        We reached out to Sheriff Thomas Corbin.

        He referred questions on the case to Craig Fraser, the county’s district attorney. Fraser did not return our phone calls.