House Committee Continues Medical Marijuana Legalization Talks

ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The push to legalize medical marijuana in the Peach State continues as lawmakers met Monday to talk about the controversial bill.

“I am going to lose my child if this drug does not get approved,” Janea Cox of Forsyth said during the House Health and Human Services committee hearing.

It is a harsh reality Cox faces everyday. Her four-year-old daughter Haleigh suffers from a severe form of epilepsy.

“I always check to make sure she’s still alive during the night,” Cox told lawmakers. “I never sleep because that one seizure could be her last one, so that’s why I ask, please, please open your hearts.”

It is a similar plea from Cox and supporters of House Bill 885. It would legalize an oil based form of medical marijuana called Charlotte’s Web. It would be used to treat seizures in kids. The creator of the drug, Joel Stanley, flew all the way from Colorado to talk about the positive impact it has had on more than 200 kids using it.

“We’re having about an 85% response that’s above a 50% seizure reduction, and of those, the average seizure reduction is between 80-90%,” Stanley told the committee.

Some lawmakers are concerned that this drug is not FDA approved and say they want more testing done. State Representative Allen Peake says that could take years and they need to find a solution soon.

“Let’s take a look at the options that are available to us now. Cannabidiol oil that has proven to be effective with children with seizure disorders,” Peake said. “Let’s figure out where there’s a door that’s open that could allow us to bring this in and help kids in our state.”

Setting their political views aside, State Representative Nikki Randall and Peake both have hope for this bill.

“I’m open minded and I want to hear as much as I can from other folks, from experience, doctors from practitioners, from anybody that can help make an informed decision,” Randall said.

An open mind and an open heart is all the families are asking for from lawmakers.

“I think hopefully we’ve changed some minds and turned some in the different direction,” Cox said. “I feel like we have more momentum now after this hearing.”

Peake says there are a few challenges with the bill, such as figuring out a way to legally get the cannabidiol oil to Georgia.

The house committee is set to meet again on Thursday to continue the medical marijuana discussion.