Peake Moving Quickly to Get Medical Marijuana Bill Together, Local Family Looking for Relief

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — By the end of the week, State Representative Allen Peake says he might have an early draft of a law that legalizes one form of medical marijuana.

Peake says he’s learning more about the positive effects the drug has on children with seizure disorders, and it’s encouraging him to move quickly.

If a bill like that becomes law, the Rowe family of Taylor County might have the chance to finally get to know their 14-year-old daughter, Ashleigh.

Prissy Rowe has never heard her daughter talk.

“You know, I’d give anything to know what’s on her mind. I’d give everything to hear her say ‘mama’,” said Rowe.

Ashleigh suffers from a severe form of epilepsy called Lennox Gastaut. It can cause her to have several seizures a day. The disease has stunted her growth. She’s fed through a tube, and she’s on several medications. Now, her mom Prissy wants to add medical marijuana to her list.

“I know that there’s a couple of families that have already made it to Colorado… I have not heard a single, negative report. Most people see a difference within a week,” said Rowe.

State Representative Allen Peake is the Georgia lawmaker who’s most likely to author a bill that would legalize one type of medical marijuana called cannabidiol oil.

“It pains me that we have Georgia families that are packing up their critically ill children… leaving family, to have to go to Colorado or another state to try and find some type of relief for their children,” said Peake.

He was inspired to inspired to look into legalizing the drug after he met four-year old Haleigh Cox. She suffers from life-threatening seizures daily. But, Peake may not have to write the law from scratch.

“Interestingly, in the Georgia code, there’s an allowance for marijuana use for cancer and glaucoma… and what we’re looking at is maybe we add seizure disorders to that,” said Peake.

You can read that law by clicking here.

It went into effect in 1981, allowing marijuana treatment for certain cancer and glaucoma patients. Peake said the medical board that oversaw the trial treatments, per the law, has been inactive for about 15 years.

Now, Peake says it might be as simple as re-writing the law, or he might create a new bill. Either way, Georgia citizens could see marijuana legalized this year.

“It’ll be a miracle if that happens, but I believe that could happen,” said Peake.

Then, Prissy Rowe may finally get to know her daughter.

“I can’t wait to find out, you know I hope, it’s my prayer that this can help her,” said Rowe.

The Rowe’s don’t want to wait any longer to get Ashleigh treatment. They’re trying to raise money to get to Colorado. If you’d like to help, click here.