With only two weeks in session, lawmakers in Georgia have submitted three different bills on marijuana policy reform. State House Representative Allen Peake has proposed two of these measures, and the third was filled by Senators Watson and Unterman.
Each proposed bill tackles medical marijuana from a different perspective. Here is a breakdown of these three pieces of legislation. The Georgia Care Project has also done a great job breaking down the legislations if you’re interested in more information from those on the ground working for marijuana reform.
Georgia House Resolutions Bill 36 (HR 36)
Filled by Rep. Peake, this is a Yes-or-No public vote on the sale of cannabis medicine with tax revenues allocated to drug treatment programs. The summary of the bill states:
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide by law for the regulation of the production of cannabis and sale of medical cannabis to certain individuals for medical usage as provided by law; to provide that the fees paid from the production of cannabis and state tax proceeds from the sale of medical cannabis be dedicated; to provide that such funds shall not lapse; to provide for submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.
For the full legislative text on House Bill 36, you can click here.
House Bill 65 (HB 65)
Also filed by Rep. Peake, House Bill 65 aims to expand the access of medical marijuana to patients with disabling conditions outside of the list specified by House Bill 51 in 2015.
The bill would open medicinal cannabis to those suffering from PTSD, HIV/AID, autism and more. The summary of the bill states:
To amend Code Section 31-2A-18 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the establishment of the Low THC Oil Patient Registry, definitions, purpose, registration cards, quarterly reports, and waiver forms, so as to change provisions relating to conditions and eligibility; to provide a definition; to remove certain reporting requirements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
For the full legislative text on House Bill 65, click here.
Senate Bill 16 (SB16)
Senate Bill 16 aims to reduce the allowed amounts of THC found in cannabis oil by 2%, from 5% to 3%. The bill was filed by Senators Watson, Unterman, and others. The summary of the bill states:
To amend Article 8 of Chapter 12 of Title 16 and Code Section 31- 2A-18 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to the regulation of low THC oil and the establishment of the Low THC Oil Patient Registry, definitions, purpose, registration cards, quarterly reports, and waiver forms, respectively, so as to change the definition of low THC oil; to change provisions relating to conditions eligible for use of low THC oil; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.”
For the full legislative text on Senate Bill 16, click here.
TWB will be keeping a watchful eye for changes in these policies and their legal statuses and will continue to update this information when it becomes available.
