I met U.S. Army veteran Perry Parks, today’s lead columnist, at a joint legislative subcommittee hearing on medical cannabis last summer in Macon, where he spoke poignantly on the benefits of marijuana in the treatment of his service-related injuries. He supports the legalization of the plant in Georgia and his state, North Carolina, as a way to treat veterans. On the other side of the argument, two law enforcement groups voice opposition to Georgia’s medical marijuana bill as currently written, suggesting it be limited to children with seizure-related maladies.

About the Author

Featured

Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez