ATLANTA — State Representative Micah Gravley (R-Douglasville) today commented on the bill signing of House Bill 1, or the Haleigh’s Hope Act, by Governor Deal. Rep. Gravley, co-sponsor of HB 1, attended the bill signing event for HB 1, which took place on April 16, 2015 where the bill became effective upon Governor Deal’s signature.
“Yesterday was a victorious and historic day for the citizens of this state,” said Rep. Gravley. “Now that HB 1 has been signed into law, I will finally have the chance to meet Caden Clark in person because he and his mother, Kim Clark, can now come back home from Colorado. It was Kim’s email about her son Caden and the need for medical cannabis in Georgia that first encouraged me to support this treatment in our state. I look forward to seeing how much this legislation will help Sydney Wages as well. Both of these children from Paulding County have touched and impacted my life in ways I never have imagined, and I am proud to see this legislation be signed into law to help their families, and so many more Georgians just like them.”
HB 1, which became effective upon Governor Deal’s signature, will provide immunity for the possession of cannabis oil for individuals with certain medical conditions who have obtained cannabis oil legally in another state. Qualifying conditions under HB 1 include cancer, multiple sclerosis, seizure disorders, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, mitochondrial disease, and sickle cell disease. These individuals can only possess cannabis oil with a maximum of 5 percent THC and a maximum amount of 20 fluid ounces of cannabis oil. HB 1 also requires that potential patients register with the Georgia Department of Public Health and be placed on the “Low-THC Oil Patient Registry.” After a recommendation from their physician, these individuals will receive a registration card that exempts them from prosecution in Georgia for possession of medical cannabis oil that has been legally obtained in another state and meets the aforementioned requirements.
The bill also creates the Georgia Commission on Medical Cannabis which will be charged with making a recommendation for the potential regulatory infrastructure for creation of in-state growth/distribution model of medical cannabis. The commission must make its recommendation to the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2015. The members of the commission will include the commissioner of the Department of Public Health, the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the director of the Georgia Drugs and Narcotics Agency, the commissioner of agriculture, the Governor’s executive counsel, members of the General Assembly, medical professionals, law enforcement officials, and pharmacists. Lastly, the bill directs Georgia’s university system to continue the Governor’s initiative to undertake clinical studies on medical marijuana.
For more information on HB 1, please click here.
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, Public Safety & Homeland Security, and Judiciary Non-Civil committees.
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