Legislation to authorize a state-run research program on the use of medical marijuana for children suffering from epilepsy in Georgia won approval in a key Senate committee late Thursday.
Senate Bill 185 — sponsored by Sen. Lindsey Tippins, R-Marietta — says the five-year program would be open to state residents under 18 and must adhere to federal laws.
Moments before the Senate Health and Human Services Committee unanimously approved the measure, the panel’s members indicated they intend to merge it with a more sweeping bill approved this week by the House.
House Bill 1 would apply to people suffering from more than half a dozen medical conditions, including seizure disorders, cancer and multiple sclerosis. Under the bill, they could legally possess limited amounts of cannabis oil. But they would have to get a recommendation from their doctors and a registration card from the state Public Health Department.
“On March 19 I anticipate having House Bill 1 in this committee,” said Senate Health and Human Services Chairwoman Renee Unterman, R-Buford. “It is my intention to work on (HB 1) and work on (SB 185) and see what we can work out together.”
Tippins told the committee he is aiming for a safe way to introduce the use of cannabis oil in Georgia.
“As we strive to meet the medical needs of our children, we must guarantee the quality, the safety and the efficacy of the medical treatment,” he said.
Earlier Thursday, dozens of families grappling with seizure-inducing illnesses streamed into the state Capitol, seeking to ratchet up pressure on the Senate to pass HB 1. At a heavily attended morning news conference, the families predicted senators who oppose it will suffer repercussions at the polls.
“I see senators who did not vote for these people who are suffering – for HB 1 – being swept away — swept out of office,” said Macon resident Lindsey Crosby, whose daughter suffers from fibromyalgia. “If they vote yea, they can stay. If they vote no, they have got to go.”
The House measure's sponsor — Republican state Rep. Allen Peake of Macon — attended the news conference along with several ailing children, who were wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with the words, "I am… HB1."
“The bills in my mind don’t need to be mutually exclusive,” Peake told the Senate committee. “I think the endgame for both bills is to help kids and adults in our state.”
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