Pubdate: Thu, 23 Jan 2014
Source: Spectator, The (GA Edu)
Copyright: 2014 The Spectator.
Contact:  http://www.valdosta.edu/vsu/stuorg/spec/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2858
Author: LaMarcus Wilkerson

NEW BILL PROPOSING MEDICAL MARIJUANA

Georgia may be the next state to legalize medical marijuana.

So far, there are twenty states plus the District of Colombia that
have voted to allow the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Senator Josh McKoon recently proposed a bill that legalizes medical
marijuana in Georgia.

State Representative Allen Peake was approached by a constituent whose
child has up to seventy seizures a day. He was touched by the story
and believes that marijuana may help alleviate the pain of this
adolescent and of children throughout Georgia who battle a similar
condition.

Marijuana has been used to treat adults, teenagers, and even children
who have seizures, epilepsy, autism, insomnia, leukemia, etc. Cannabis
is considered somewhat of a "wonder drug" for various diseases.

"We should take the politics out of it and look at the science of it,"
Peake said in a Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) interview.

The U.S. government hasn't yet given scientists the necessary funding
for the study of marijuana. However, scientific minds have taken the
initiative to research marijuana, and studies show that a component in
marijuana has a positive effect on various illnesses.

Although Peake supports the legalization of medical marijuana, he is
concerned that if Georgia passes such a bill, fans of recreational
marijuana may push for full legalization. As of now, there are two
states− Colorado and Washington−that have legalized
marijuana for recreational use.

For more information on the medical marijuana bill, visit Georgia's
legislation website:

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20132014/SR/756 
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