Dozens of families grappling with seizure-inducing illnesses streamed into the state Capitol Thursday, seeking to ratchet up pressure on the Senate to pass sweeping House legislation legalizing the possession of medical marijuana.
At a heavily attended morning news conference, the families predicted senators who oppose House Bill 1 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 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 measure applies to people suffering from more than a half a dozen medical conditions, including seizure disorders, cancer and multiple sclerosis. Under the bill, they may 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.
The Senate is considering an alternative measure that would limit access to medical marijuana through a limited trial program involving children with epilepsy. The sponsor of that bill, state Sen. Lindsey Tippins, R-Marietta, said this week he believes Senate Bill 185 is the safest way to introduce the use of cannabis oil in Georgia — doing so under strict medical supervision in a clinical trial overseen by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
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