Peake makes changes to medical cannabis legislation

ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – State Representative Allen Peake met with the governor to make changes to his medical cannabis legislation.

In a news release, Peake says he has been talking to Governor Nathan Deal for several days about House Bill 1.

“After much discussion, it is clear that we need to conduct more research on setting an in-state growing scenario in order to provide the best and most effective infrastructure to our citizens,” Peake said in a statement.

Peake says the changes that he and the governor agreed upon vary slightly from the original version, but “the bottom line is that we will be bringing Georgia families back home.”

Proposed changes include immediate decriminalization upon the governor’s signature for possession of cannabis oil between 3 to 5% THC for people with certain medical conditions who obtained it legally in another state. There would also be the creation of a council who will be responsible to examine the future establishment of a regulatory model for an in-state growth and distribution infrastructure. The committee will make its recommendation to the General Assembly by the end of the year.

“With this news, I am happy to say that our medical refugees in other states can start packing to come home and reunite with their families,” Peake stated.

Once passed by both the House and Senate, along with the governor’s signature, families will be able to go to other states to legally obtain the cannabis oil and bring it back to Georgia without fear of prosecution.

The 2015 Georgia General Assembly legislative session begins on Monday, January 12.