Medical community weighs in on medical marijuana debate

AUGUSTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The medical community is weighing in on the debate to legalize medical marijuana in Georgia.

State lawmakers met at the Georgia Regents University in Augusta Wednesday to get an update on the school’s clinical trial of Epidiolex. Governor Nathan Deal approved the study of the cannabidiol for children with epilepsy earlier this year.

University officials tell 41NBC they are still waiting on approval from the DEA to conduct the initial trial. Dr. Michael Diamond, the interim senior Vice President of research at GRU says taking time to conduct the trial is best for the state.

“We’ll collect that information that will provide better information about potential safety and efficacy, potential for interactions with other medications as well as quality of life related issues,” Diamond said.

Diamond says they hope to start the first study of Epidiolex on two patients next month. Researchers also plan to conduct a larger study of at least 50 patients, but they are waiting on federal approval for that trial too.

State Representative Allen Peake says he supports the Epidiolex study, but says the state also needs to pass legislation that would legalize growing, processing, and distributing cannabis oil in Georgia. He adds that way families who could benefit from it can get access to the oil sooner.

“When you have 400 citizens who are out in Colorado who are already receiving cannabis oil and seeing significant reduction of seizures, improved cognitive ability, I think that speaks volumes and emphasizes the need to go ahead and move forward faster and quicker than a FDA approved process would provide,” Peake said.

Medical professionals who testified at the committee meeting said they would consider using cannabis oil for their patients, but add there needs to be a clinical study on the oil to determine if it is safe.

State lawmakers on the Prescription of Medical Cannabis for Serious Medical Conditions joint study committee are meeting one final time in December.