Pubdate: Fri, 09 Jan 2015
Source: Macon Telegraph (GA)
Copyright: 2015 The Macon Telegraph Publishing Company
Contact:  http://www.macontelegraph.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/667
Author: Maggie Lee

MEDICAL CANNABIS BILL CHANGED

ATLANTA -- A proposal from state Rep. Allen Peake, R-Macon, will
protect Georgians from state prosecution if they possess certain
liquid medical cannabis legally obtained in another state.

It remains a federal offense to transport any marijuana products
across state lines. The Georgia bill sponsor, Peake, downplayed the
transport risk for Georgia families because of a provision of the
federal budget signed in December. The so-called "Cromnibus" bill
defunds federal law enforcement operations against medical marijuana
operations that comply with state laws.

"Once the updated legislation is formally introduced and passed by
both House and Senate chambers, decriminalization would be effective
as soon as the governor signs House Bill 1 into law," Peake said.

The Georgia decriminalization would apply only to liquid medicine that
contains less than 5 percent of THC, the psychoactive compound in
cannabis. It also only would apply to sufferers from a certain list of
diseases, yet to be finalized.

The bill also would create a committee to study the future
establishment of a regulatory model for in-state growing and
distributing medical marijuana.

The draft of House Bill 1 earlier proposed in-state growing. Peake
announced the change Friday evening.

The annual state legislative session begins Monday morning. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D