Better Georgia, a left-leaning start-up, has come out in support for medical marijuana legislation after conducting an informal survey on the topic.
The progressive group announced its endorsement Tuesday through a press release, after more than 90 percent of its survey respondents said they believed medical marijuana should be legalized.
“The effectiveness of medical marijuana to treat seizures and other medical conditions is proven,” said Better Georgia Executive Director Bryan Long. “Public support for medical marijuana is at an all-time high and this is one of the few issues that leaders on both sides of the aisle can agree upon.”
A specific derivative of medical marijuana used to treat chidren with seizure disorders was seriously considered in the past legislative session, but it was scuttled by political feuding.
Still, the issue has been revisited as of late.
On July 30, the Libertarian Party of Georgia came out in support of fully legalizing all marijuana, in the same vein as Washington and Colorado.
That step has not drawn widespread interest, as many Georgia entities see it as too radical.
However, a legislative study committee will meet on Aug. 27 to discuss possibilities for legalizing medical marijuana.
Meanwhile, Gov. Nathan Deal has pushed a plan since July to conduct clinical trials for the derivative drug. State Rep. Allen Peak, who was the chief sponsor of the failed legislation, has said in previous statements that legislative action needs to happen soon.
Better Georgia echoed that sentiment with its statement.
“Now we need leaders who will stand up and fight for the Georgia families who would benefit from medical legalization,” Long said.
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