Marijuana for the New Year
Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, January 1, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler
In May 2015, Governor Deal created the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis to study the issue until the end of the year and make recommendations for full implementation of H.B. 1 that legalized medical cannabis last session. Representative Allen Peake, who introduced and spearheaded passage of H.B. 1, was appointed Commission chairman. The Commission’s full report was due December 31st.
The first meeting of the Commission was in June, on the same day the Health Department launched the Low THC Oil Registry for patients who prove they have at least one of eight medical conditions approved for treatment. Patients that qualify get a two-year card authorizing them to possess enough cannabis oil to fill a 20-ounce soft drink bottle.
The August meeting featured four out-of-state medical marijuana manufacturers who proposed different models for in-state growth and distribution. Jason Cranford, originally from Georgia, wants Georgia to cultivate ten-, twenty-, thirty-percent potency marijuana, so users can avoid breaking federal laws against transporting illegal drugs across state lines.To that, Representative Peake responded, “As Cranford said, you may need to allow a higher level of THC in the actual plant before it’s diluted down” to make it legal under state law. Since Peake didn’t mention that Georgia already allows the highest THC level in the country, expect current law to be “tweaked” next session to raise the THC level even more.
Another recommendation would put Georgia in the business of growing, processing, and distributing marijuana, as suggested by Suterra, a construction company touting a strategy to get plant cultivation up-and-growing in six months.
39 states, plus D.C. and Guam have marijuana laws. But some say Georgia’s law is the best, since it has the highest THC level, and the system is being set up quicker here. In addition to the cultivation, processing and distribution of marijuana oil, the Commission is considering marijuana-laced food and beverages.
In the October meeting Commission members heard from doctors and law enforcement officials who oppose the cultivation of marijuana in Georgia, as does Governor Deal. The Commission’s full report, due to be sent to the General Assembly by December 31st, was not available at this writing. However, during the December 9th meeting, the Commission voted 9-5 AGAINST growing marijuana in Georgia. Although the Commission’s full report will be helpful and enlightening, its recommendations are not binding on the General Assembly. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.