Just Add “Childhood Seizures” to Current Law
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, December 5, 2014 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
Three weeks ago three bills were pre-filed to change Georgia’s current law governing our state-sponsored research program for using marijuana to treat patients with cancer or glaucoma. Since marijuana is a Schedule I drug, with a high risk for abuse and no proof of medical value, the current law also included the Controlled Substances Therapeutic Research Program to develop security and record-keeping guidelines and protocols.
That happened in Georgia in the mid ’80s and it’s been the law in Georgia ever since. However, a couple of years ago a nationally known physician went on a world-wide study of marijuana, came back and published his findings. Since his report, 33 states have legalized medical marijuana and the pressure is on to legalize it here, regardless of the consequences.
Two days ago, the last of five meetings was held by the special joint committee created to study and research marijuana, but they didn’t discuss the three bills members of that committee have pre-filed for the 2015 legislative session. So, I’ll do it here.
H.B. 1 was pre-filed as a bare-bones bill to be fleshed-out later. It is so broadly written that it allows everything, but prohibits nothing. It would allow (a) unrestricted use of marijuana and its derivatives (b) to be supplied by unmentioned sources (c) for any number of patients of any age. It would be (d) administered through an unidentified private or state business, (e) for any period of time, and (f) prescribed by unnamed individuals, (g) with protection from prosecution for anyone with “a stated maximum amount of THC,” which is not stated.S.R. 6 would amend the State Constitution to legalize medical and recreational use of marijuana for anyone over 21, and S.B. 7 creates a system of medical, recreational and commercial use of marijuana, controlled by the State Department of Public Health and the State Department of Revenue. Each department would keep the fees they collect. The Revenue Department would license and oversee as many dispensaries as necessary to supply the marijuana.
Controls in current law would be abolished and law enforcement would not be involved, unless medical marijuana is used as an excuse for driving under the influence. So, this is my question: If treating childhood seizures is the goal, why not simply add “childhood seizures” to current law? For Georgia Insight, I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.