Category Archives: marijuana

January 1, 2016 Newsletter

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(The January 1, 2016 Newsletter content includes these topics: Casinos, horse racing, marijuana, new legislators)

Critical Issues Await 2016 General Assembly

Carryovers from 2015 Session

  • Bills left-over for 2016 – 438 House bills (H.B.) and 179 Senate bills (S.B.) – total 617.
  • Resolutions left-over for the 2016 session – 92 H.R. and 77 S.R. – total 169.
  • Left-over totals – 786 bills and resolutions remain alive for action in 2016.

House and Senate Action in the 2015 Session

  • Of the 955 bills introduced in the 2015 General Assembly, 706 H.B. passed and 249 S.B. passed.
  • Of those 955 bills introduced, only 12 were defeated or withdrawn.
  • Of the 1,610 resolutions introduced in 2015, 960 H.R. and 650 S.R. passed – total 1,439.
  • Governor Deal signed 239 House bills and vetoed eight House bills.
  • Governor Deal signed 62 Senate bills and vetoed three Senate bills.

The governor’s signature on a bill indicates his support, and frequently prompts a signing ceremony and photo-op for supportive citizens and organizations, as well as the bill’s author and other legislators. Legislation the governor signs may become law upon his signature, but other bills that passed become law on the up-coming July 1st or as specified in the legislation.

  • To read the rest of this newsletter in PDF format, please click here.

January 8, 2016 Radio Commentary

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2016 Session Convenes Next Monday

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, January 8, 2016 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Next Monday our senators and representatives report to work at 10:00 o’clock to begin this year’s 40-day legislative session. Among the legislators will be eight new representatives and two new senators, who won special elections since last session.

If I were a new legislator, I would be astonished to learn that 786 bills and resolutions are still alive from last year’s session and I would be even more astonished to know how critically important some of those bills are.

For example: If I were a new representative, I might ask Representative Ron Stephens why he waited until the last week of last session to introduce two highly controversial bills. One is H.R. 807 that would change the State Constitution to authorize the building and operation of six resort casinos in Georgia. The other is his 127-page H.B. 677 that would legalize and regulate those six resort casinos. Then, I would ask him why he thinks Georgia needs an industry that charges a half-million-dollars to simply apply for a license. If the application is accepted, the license will cost the applicant $25,000,000 or $10,000,000 depending on where the casino will be located. Even if the application is turned down, the half-million-dollars won’t be refunded. Continue reading →

January 1, 2016 Radio Commentary

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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. Continue reading →

August 7, 2015 Radio Commentary

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The First Church of Cannabis, Inc.

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, August 7, 2015 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

Before me is a copy of an official IRS document dated May 21, 2015. It is addressed to The First Church of Cannabis, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, in response to paperwork filed by Bill Levin, who founded the church as a test to Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that Governor Mike Pence signed into law March 26th.

It’s the standard reply to applicants awarded Federal Income tax exemption under IRS Code section 501 (c) (3). In addition, this applicant received public charity status and is authorized to receive tax deductible bequests, devices, transfers or gifts under three other sections of the Code. Therefore, contributors may claim tax deductions for donations under section 170 of the federal Code.

Levin explained it this way, “You see, if I would argue that under RFRA, as long as you can show that reefer is part of your religious practices, you got a pretty good shot of getting off scot-free. Remember, under RFRA, the state has to articulate a compelling interest in preventing you from smoking pot. I argue they can’t.” Continue reading →