Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jan 2015
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2015 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact:  http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Aaron Gould Sheinin

MEDICAL MARIJUANA BILL OFFICIALLY FILED

Immunity Language Is 'Crucial,' Says State Representative.

State Rep. Allen Peake, RMacon, on Monday officially filed his 
medical marijuana bill with nearly 100 co-sponsors.

Peake's bill, House Bill 1, will be assigned to committee on Tuesday. 
It will offer immunity from prosecution to Georgia families who 
possess a strain of cannabis oil that may be used to treat a variety 
of disorders.

Peake said he's hopeful that an out-of-state manufacturer will soon 
agree to ship the product directly to Georgia patients, eliminating 
the immediate need for a Georgia-based growing and manufacturing program.

But, he said, HB 1 needs to pass first.

"It's all contingent on the immunity language in this bill being 
passed," Peake said. "The language is crucial."

Co-sponsors of the bill include several of the House's top leaders, 
including Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, R-Milton, Rules Committee 
Chairman John Meadows, R-Calhoun, and the chairman of the 
budget-writing Appropriations Committee, Rep. Terry England, R-Auburn.

Shannon Cloud, the mother of a child with a seizure disorder, said 
Peake's bill being introduced is an important moment but work remains.

"I look forward to having all the legal steps worked out," she said.

The bill originally was to include a state-based program to grow and 
cultivate the drug. But Gov. Nathan Deal balked and said more study 
is needed. Instead, Peake's bill only includes the immunity language.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom