UPDATE: Georgia lawmakers debate legalizing medical marijuana
UPDATE: Georgia lawmakers debate legalizing medical marijuana
Patients diagnosed with certain illnesses could take a form of
medical marijuana under a plan that Georgia's state legislators were
expected to debate Monday ahead of an important deadline, one that sorts
out which bills go forward and which will likely fail for the year.
Legislative rules force Georgia's state lawmakers to get their bills
approved by at least one chamber of the General Assembly by what's
commonly called "Crossover Day," or else those bills are unlikely to get
to the governor's desk. That rule can be bent, but it is difficult.
Among the biggest debates expected Monday: a plan to let people
suffering from the side effects of cancer treatment, glaucoma and some
seizure disorders to take products derived from cannabis oil in the hope
it will ease their symptoms. The cannabis could be given to patients
orally as a liquid, a pill or through injections. State Rep. Allen
Peake, R-Macon, the bill's sponsor, has been adamant it would not open
the door to recreational use of marijuana Georgia. He has said the
cannabis oil is low in THC, the active ingredient that produces the
marijuana high.
The plan was expected to come up for a vote Monday afternoon.
"At the end of the day if it is brought up for a vote I think I will pass," House Speaker David Ralston said.
As the day progressed, House lawmakers voted 173-3 to approve placing
a statue of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr on the
Capitol grounds or in another prominent location. While the bill passed
by a wide margin, honoring King has been politically controversial in
past years. Former Gov. Lester Maddox refused to shut down state
government when King was assassinated. A portrait of King hangs in the
Statehouse, but the grounds also host portraits and monuments of
politicians who supported segregation.
Other issues remain unresolved.
For example, a proposal to regulate companies that allow people to
order a ride using their cellphones had not been scheduled for a vote,
meaning it was at risk of collapsing this year. Those regulations were
supported by existing limousine companies, but they were opposed by
ridesharing companies including Uber. State Rep. Wendell Willard,
R-Sandy Springs, said he expected a proposal to tighten the rules under
which police and prosecutors can seize property and cash would fail
after it was opposed by law enforcement officials.
Patients diagnosed with certain illnesses could take a form of
medical marijuana under a plan that Georgia's state legislators were
expected to debate Monday ahead of an important deadline, one that sorts
out which bills go forward and which will likely fail for the year.
Legislative rules force Georgia's state lawmakers to get their bills
approved by at least one chamber of the General Assembly by what's
commonly called "Crossover Day," or else those bills are unlikely to get
to the governor's desk. That rule can be bent, but it is difficult.
Among the biggest debates expected Monday: a plan to let people
suffering from the side effects of cancer treatment, glaucoma and some
seizure disorders to take products derived from cannabis oil in the hope
it will ease their symptoms. The cannabis could be given to patients
orally as a liquid, a pill or through injections. State Rep. Allen
Peake, R-Macon, the bill's sponsor, has been adamant it would not open
the door to recreational use of marijuana Georgia. He has said the
cannabis oil is low in THC, the active ingredient that produces the
marijuana high.
The plan was expected to come up for a vote Monday afternoon.
"At the end of the day if it is brought up for a vote I think I will pass," House Speaker David Ralston said.
As the day progressed, House lawmakers voted 173-3 to approve placing
a statue of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr on the
Capitol grounds or in another prominent location. While the bill passed
by a wide margin, honoring King has been politically controversial in
past years. Former Gov. Lester Maddox refused to shut down state
government when King was assassinated. A portrait of King hangs in the
Statehouse, but the grounds also host portraits and monuments of
politicians who supported segregation.
Other issues remain unresolved.
For example, a proposal to regulate companies that allow people to
order a ride using their cellphones had not been scheduled for a vote,
meaning it was at risk of collapsing this year. Those regulations were
supported by existing limousine companies, but they were opposed by
ridesharing companies including Uber. State Rep. Wendell Willard,
R-Sandy Springs, said he expected a proposal to tighten the rules under
which police and prosecutors can seize property and cash would fail
after it was opposed by law enforcement officials.
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