Around Georgia: Cannabis bill runs into state Senate roadblock
Measure stalls that would allow marijuana treatment for PTSD sufferers
Cannabis advocates in Georgia are outraged that the state Senate has indefinitely stalled a bill to add PTSD to the state's list of qualifying conditions for treatment with medical marijuana, the cannabis-focused website merryjane.com reports. The story says this comes despite strong support for the measure by the Georgia House and Gov. Nathan Deal. In 2015, Georgia passed a limited medical marijuana law that allows individuals suffering from 12 qualifying conditions to possess and use small quantities of cannabis oil. The Georgia House in February voted 145-17 for House Bill 764, which would allow people suffering from PTSD or long-term, intractable pain to register for the state's medical cannabis program.
Most of the major gubernatorial hopefuls have millions
The major candidates in this year's governor's race appear to have at least one thing in common: sizable personal bankrolls, flagpole.com reports in a column by longtime Capitol reporter Tom Crawford. On the Republican side, three of the five major candidates profess to be millionaires: state Sen. Michael Williams, R-Cumming (net worth $9.1 million); Secretary of State Brian Kemp ($5.2 million in net worth) and Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle (net worth of $1.58 million). Two other GOP candidates: Clay Tippins, a former Navy SEAL who's now a business consultant, and Hunter Hill, a former Army officer, disclosed their net worth at $745,000 and $448,000, respectively. On the Democratic side, former legislator and trial attorney Stacey Evans reported a net worth of $5.2 million, while her chief opponent, former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams, showed a net worth of $108,885, substantially offset by debts.
College and Career Academy planned in Paulding
Metro Atlanta's Paulding County has been awarded $3.15 million to help the local school district develop a facility where students can develop in-demand job skills. The money will allow the school district to renovate the centrally located New Hope Education Center into the Paulding College and Career Academy. Paulding School Superintendent Brian Otott told patch.com that district leaders "are very thankful to the state for recognizing our vision and helping to fund what will be a first-class, 21st century College and Career Academy. This facility will provide new opportunities for many Paulding students and help produce a workforce that can better serve our county and region." The college and career academy will feature programs tailored to the work skills needed by Paulding employers. Currently, 60 percent of the jobs in the county are filled by out-of-county residents, and 86 percent of county residents work outside the county.
Georgia mirrors national trend with more Democrats running for state House
The Washington Post reported Wednesday about a dramatic increase in Democratic candidates — not just for Congress but also for state legislatures — including in Georgia. The paper reports that, nationally, 6,066 state legislative seats are up for grabs in November, and more Democrats are running for these seats than have in any election since 1982. In Georgia, the paper reports, that albeit unlikely, enough Democrats are running that they could conceivably regain majority control of the Georgia House. Figures show Democrats are running in races for 121 of Georgia's 180 House seats this year, compared with 82 in 2016.
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