Legislation that would bring medical marijuana to Georgia for the first time gained committee approval late Wednesday.
House Bill 885, by Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, was approved by the House Health and Human Services Committee and should reach the House floor on Monday, Peake said.
A major change was made to the bill that should help clear a key hurdle. Originally, Peake’s plan was to import a type of cannabis oil from Colorado that could be used to treat only certain seizure disorders. But federal law bans transporting the material between states.
The version of the bill approved Wednesday would allow the state’s five research universities to cultivate cannabis to harvest the oil, which has proven successful in helping patients who suffer from seizures.
The vote Wednesday was important as Monday is the last day for bills to move from one chamber to the other.
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
With the largest team in the state, the AJC reports what’s really going on with your tax dollars and your elected officials. Subscribe today. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.
Your subscription to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.