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.