Tag: Georgia

    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.

      Breaking News: Medical marijuana cultivation may be allowed in Georgia

      ATLANTA (AP) – A state lawmaker seeking to bring medical marijuana to Georgia under certain circumstances has revised his bill ahead of a key committee hearing Wednesday.

      Georgia CARE has advocated amending Georgia House Bill 885 to include intrastate cultivation. Follow the news on Facebook – www.facebook.com/gacareproject   jb

      “If House Bill 885 fails to pass out of committee this week, its chance for passage this year would narrow considerably.

      Sponsored by Republican Rep. Allen Peake of Macon, the bill would revive a long-dormant research program allowing academic institutions to distribute cannabis oil to those suffering from specific medical conditions.

      Peake says the main change addresses the fact that federal guidelines currently prohibit accessing cannabis across state lines. The bill would permit approved academic medical centers in the state to grow cannabis.

      Peake says the centers, which include University of Georgia and Emory University, would have the option to participate and would not be compelled.”

        Breaking News: Medical Marijuana Bill filed in GA Senate

        Senate Resolution 756

        By: Senator McKoon of the 29th

        A RESOLUTION

        Creating the Senate Prescription of Medicinal Marijuana for Serious Medical Conditions Study Committee; and for other purposes.

        WHEREAS, there have been significant scientific and medical studies, reports, clinical trials, and other analyses regarding the use of marijuana for prescriptive medicinal purposes; and

        WHEREAS, technology has significantly advanced and produced certain control methods and scientific guarantees regarding medicinal uses that have not previously existed; and

        WHEREAS, there are indicia that such use may be beneficial for the parents and treating physicians of children with serious medical needs; and

        WHEREAS, it would be beneficial to undertake a study of the prescriptive use of medicinal marijuana for serious medical conditions to determine whether it would be appropriate to enact legislation making new provisions or changing provisions of current law of this state with regard to such prescriptive use.

        NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that there is created the Senate Prescription of Medicinal Marijuana for Serious Medical Conditions Study Committee to be composed of the chairperson of the Senate Judiciary Committee and four members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate. The chairperson of the Senate Judiciary Committee shall serve as chairperson of the committee. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee.

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution. The members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated. The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized by the President of the Senate. The funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from the funds appropriated to the Senate. In the event the committee makes a report of its findings and recommendations, with suggestions for proposed legislation, if any, such report shall be made on or before December 1, 2014. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2014.