Pubdate: Wed, 04 Feb 2015
Source: Walker County Messenger (GA)
Copyright: 2015 Walker County Messenger.
Contact:  http://www.walkermessenger.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2755
Author: Andy Miller, Georgia Health News

SHIPPING PROPOSAL OUTLINED ON MEDICAL CANNABIS

The legislator championing medical marijuana in Georgia said he hopes 
to announce an agreement soon with a manufacturer that aims to ship 
cannabis oil to residents in the state.

That process would be facilitated if Georgia passes a bill to offer 
immunity from prosecution to those families using cannabis oil for 
medical purposes, said state Rep. Allen Peake, Republican from Macon.

He told reporters Monday, Jan. 26, that the cannabis product in 
question contains so little THC, the psychoactive ingredient in 
marijuana, "that it's considered hemp."

Under the plan, he said, families could order the product online and 
the manufacturer would ship it to their homes. "They're only sending 
it to states where immunity is in place."

Earlier, Peake had discussed a broader bill that would have allowed 
some marijuana to be grown in Georgia for the purpose of 
manufacturing the oil. But Peake backed off that provision in a 
compromise with Gov. Nathan Deal, who did not support cultivation of 
cannabis in the state.

The compromise disappointed some Georgia parents of children with 
seizure disorders who moved to Colorado, where marijuana products are 
legal. They worry that some Georgians will be unable to afford the 
trip or will risk arrest if they travel home through states where the 
product is not legal, the AP reported.

Other ideas to bring medical marijuana to Georgia, Peake said include 
asking the governor to request a federal exemption allowing a state 
agency to obtain cannabis oil for "compassionate-need" distribution.

Peake also spoke of volunteering himself to bring the cannabis oil 
from Colorado to Georgia. "Maybe there's a time for a little civil 
disobedience," Peake said.

Blaine and Shannon Cloud of Smyrna said they support Peake's immunity bill.

Their daughter Alaina, 9, has seizures. Five medications help keep 
them in control now, but "the side effects are terrible," she said, 
including making the child unable to eat.

The best solution for the families "is to have in-state growing," 
Blaine Cloud said, while calling the immunity bill "a first step."

Separately, the American Academy of Pediatrics updated its 
recommendations on medical marijuana.

The AAP said it opposes the use of medical marijuana outside the FDA 
regulatory process. But the organization also said that "marijuana 
may be an option for cannabinoid administration for children with 
life-limiting or severely debilitating conditions and for whom 
current therapies are inadequate."

The pediatrics organization also recommended changing marijuana from 
a Schedule I to a Schedule II drug to facilitate research and 
development of pharmaceutical cannabinoids.

The AAP said it strongly supports the decriminalization of marijuana 
use and encouraged pediatricians to advocate for laws that prevent 
harsh criminal penalties for possession or use of marijuana.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom