ATLANTA— State Representatives Allen Peake (R-Macon) and Micah Gravely (R-Douglasville) today announced the premiere of the Growing Hope film, a documentary that follows the life of HB 885 and focuses on decisions parents in Georgia are making to receive treatment for their children. The film will debut on Thursday, November, 6 in Dallas, Georgia.
“This powerful and emotional film gives viewers a brief glimpse of the struggles that Georgia families with children with seizure disorders are facing and also provides proof of what cannabis can do for the quality of life for our children and citizens who are suffering,” said Rep. Peake. “This film and the positive feedback that it has already received, proves that the work that we are doing to help these families has not been in vain. Growing Hope showcases several Georgia families that I have come to know and love, and I hope that this film will help more people understand why it is so crucial to bring this treatment to Georgia. I welcome and encourage everyone to come out and support Growing Hope.”
The Growing Hope film will premiere on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the Dallas Theater in Dallas, Georgia. The premiere event is open to the public; tickets are $5.00, and all proceeds will go to Journey of Hope Fund, a nonprofit that aides Georgia families who travel to other states to obtain cannabis oil for their children. Those interested in attending can purchase tickets through the Paulding County Chamber of Commerce or at the door on the day of the event.
“I am honored and proud to support this film, and extremely humbled that its premiere is being held in my home county,” said Rep. Gravley. “Our community is excited for the debut of this film, which features families from our area with whom I have been working since the inception of HB 885. The unveiling of a documentary of this nature in our state proves to me that there is growing support among citizens for medical cannabis in Georgia. We have made unprecedented strides in the last year as we continue to increase awareness of this type of treatment, and I look forward to continued progress.”
The documentary film follows Georgia’s fight to provide medical cannabis to children suffering from various forms of Epilepsy, as well as other Georgia patients who would benefit from the medicinal use of cannabis oil. The Growing Hope film features many Georgia Families, including Paulding County’s Wages Family and the Clark Family who have been fighting for their children Sidney and Caden. The film also includes interviews from Georgia legislators including former State Rep., Dr. Ben Watson (R-Savannah), Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon), Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), Rep. Scot Turner (R-Holly Springs), Rep. Micah Gravley (R-Douglasville), and Sen. Butch Miller (R-Gainesville).
House Bill 885 was introduced in the 2014 legislative session and authored by Rep. Peake and co-signed by Rep. Gravley. The bill was designed to increase treatment options for children suffering from seizure disorders, and other specific medical conditions, by restricting and regulating the distribution of cannabidiol, an oil-based derivative of the cannabis plant. HB 885 failed to pass during the 2014 session, but resulted in the creation of the Prescription of Medical Cannabis for Serious Medical Conditions Joint Study Committee, ultimately created by SR 981. The committee has held several meetings to hear from families who are seeking this treatment, in addition to law enforcement officials, the medical community, and leaders from other states with similar legislation.
For more information on the Growing Hope film, please click here, and for more information on the Journey of Hope, please click here.
Representative Allen Peake represents the citizens of District 141, which includes portions of Bibb and Monroe counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2006, and currently serves as the Secretary and Treasurer of the House Majority Caucus, the Vice Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee, and the Ex-Officio of the Appropriations Committee. He also serves on the Health & Human Services, Rules, and Small Business Development committees. For comments or questions, you may contact Representative Peake at rmsceo61@gmail.com, or 404-656-5025.
Representative Micah Gravley represents the citizens of District 67, which includes portions of Douglas and Paulding counties. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Code Revision, Economic Development & Tourism, and Judiciary Non-Civil committees.
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