The Grow-Marijuana-in-Georgia Bill

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, January 22, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Last year Representative Allen Peake got his 12-page H.B. 1 passed to legalize medical marijuana! This year he’s trying to pass his 25-page H.B. 722 that would legalize a marijuana-growing and product-selling business in Georgia.

Last year’s bill authorized the use of marijuana for eight specific medical conditions; this year’s bill more than doubles that number, to 16 conditions, plus “any other medical condition or its treatment approved by the commissioner.”

The commissioner would have until December 1st, to register as many as six Georgia medical marijuana producers and new producers could be hired every December 1st. July 1, 2017 is the target-date for producers to supply marijuana, but this bill requires distribution to patients to begin by July 1st this year.Duties of marijuana manufacturers outline the expanse of the proposed business. For example: Marijuana producers must track every plant or product or package, they test, or transfer, convert, sell, recall or dispose of. That puts marijuana growers in the business of packaging and selling marijuana products, but the term “product” is not defined in the bill.

That’s disturbing, especially, since marijuana products could include marijuana-flavored candy, such as the kind any kid with four dollars could have bought in some Georgia convenience stores before the General Assembly passed a law against it in 2008. The sales pitch for selling marijuana laced Kronic Kandy and Pot Suckers was, “Every lick is like taking a hit!” But since the 2008 law passed, violators can be fined a thousand dollars for each sale of marijuana-laced food or beverage.

In 2008, selling pot-laced candy to minors was such big business that Representative Judy Manning got death threats for introducing the bill that outlawed it. Now, it’s so common-place in Colorado that a chef is giving lessons on which strains of marijuana to use with different foods and wines.

My point is this: medicating critically ill patients with marijuana oil is one thing, but going headlong into the business of cultivating and selling marijuana and its products could be disastrous! Next Monday in the legislative office building room 406, from one to three o’clock, the House Non Civil Judiciary Committee will hear testimony from people who support H.B. 722. Another meeting has been promised for committee members to hear from opponents of the bill.

Call Representative Golick at 404 656-5943 to express your opinion. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.