State Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, has led the effort to legalize medical marijuana in Georgia. He co-chairs the joint legislative committee that has studied the topic and is finalizing a bill aimed at allowing Georgia’s “medical refugee” families to return home — families with seizure-stricken children who have moved to states where they can access legal cannabis oil. That strain of marijuana has been shown to greatly reduce seizures in patients suffering from epilepsy and other illnesses. Peake spoke to me Wednesday before the final committee hearing.
Where do we stand as the committee hearings come to an end?
We’ve learned a lot. We chatted with law enforcement, the medical profession, with citizens with different diagnoses. The overwhelming sentiment is that it is time to provide relief for citizens who are hurting. I believe we’ve found a good compromise — a good, safe, restricted position in HB 1.
When will the bill’s details be disclosed?
We’re almost there. We want to get the findings from the committee and finalize the bill. I’m hoping that by the end of December, we’ll have the bill that we can put out publicly.
What do you expect it to accomplish?
We had two missions, really, since the end of last session. Very simply, bring Georgia families back home — those families who have become medical refugees to seek cannabis oil in other states. Secondly, we want to establish a safe, legal, effective and timely regulatory structure in Georgia for the growing, processing and dispensing of cannabis oil.
We should grow marijuana here?
We have to find a solution inside our own borders. There are certain parameters crucial to that. It’s medical cannabis oil. It’s in a non-smokable form. It has a low enough amount of THC to be effective but can’t get you high. We want to follow the guidelines Gov. Deal has said he would (need) to consider any medical marijuana bill: Is it safe? Is it legal? And is it recommended by doctors and supervised by doctors?
The medical community says it needs more study.
That is a concern. There hasn’t been enough clinical trial analysis. There’s only been anecdotal evidence that it works. But that anecdotal evidence is pretty darn strong. I know these families, and every single one has said they would do it again, it’s the best thing we’ve ever done for our child. They’ve all seen seizure reduction. They’ve seen improved cognitive ability. The anecdotal evidence is so overwhelming, it cannot be ignored. And for us to ignore it, by not doing anything because we’re waiting for additional clinical analysis, I think is unmerciful.
So we’re going to cultivate and regulate it here?
That is the only way we can do it and regulate it the way we need to, to make sure we have a safe product, to make sure we have enough for our citizens to access, and not risk transporting it across state lines (which federal law prohibits). We’ve got to grow it, cultivate it, process it and dispense it here in Georgia in order to make it effective.
Who’s going to do that?
The path that we’re going down is to allow private industry to do this. HB 1 will include a limited number of licenses for growers, processors, retailers. We’re probably looking in the five to six range. We’re not going to open this up to anybody who wants to grow marijuana. The hope would be that in every major market, there would be a retail facility where citizens could access cannabis oil, so they’re not driving four or five hours to get it.
You can’t walk in off the street and get it?
You’d have to be a qualified patient, which would mean you have to have a qualified diagnosis. You’d need a recommendation from a qualified physician. There are strict guidelines of who would be able to access it.
Do bills calling for expanded use of marijuana complicate the passage of your bill?
It may confuse the average citizen who doesn’t understand there (are) several different bills. That’s frustrating, that people may think Georgia is about to pass a bill legalizing recreational use of marijuana. Let me make it real clear: I will fight with as much passion and energy to make sure we don’t have legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes in our state as I’m fighting for these kids to have access to medical cannabis oil. The path of legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes is the wrong path to go, in my opinion.
Do you think your bill can pass in 2015?
I do. We’ve all become educated on this issue, that we ought to give parents and families and citizens the right to make a personal choice along with their physician that’s in the best interest of their child, or for themselves.
