Georgia enacts law to normalize access to medical marijuana
Although Georgia does not permit the recreational use of marijuana, it has inched steadily toward allowing medical marijuana for the treatment of certain illnesses. On April 17, 2019, Georgia’s Governor signed HB 324, a law that will go into effect on July 1, 2019. The law brings the existing status of medical marijuana in Georgia several steps closer to operational normalcy. Since 2015, a state law allowed the use of low potency cannabis oil for persons with permits who suffered from specified medical illnesses. At the same time, the law banned growing, buying, manufacturing and distributing the oil within the state. This led to the incongruous Catch 22 situation where Georgians had to cross state lines and break numerous laws to obtain the medicinal oil.
The new law grants up to six growing licenses to private enterprises, with the proviso that two of them may be larger companies and the remaining four must be smaller ones. It allows pharmacies in the state to distribute the drug and establishes a state commission to regulate and oversee the total process. Two universities in the state—the University of Georgia and Fort Valley State University—are authorized to seek federal approval for research and production of the oil. As opposed to the prior chaotic law, it appears that legislators did their homework this time around.
Georgia Sheriff’s Organization Opposes Medical Marijuana
Organizations that support the move to medical legalization heralded the law as a big step forward. The Georgia Sheriff’s Association, however, came out against the law, and specifically criticized allowing several private producers to grow marijuana and manufacture the oil. The head of the Sheriff’s organization called the law a “decisive step” toward recreational marijuana. He pointed to fears of over-production and low regulation. The statute itself, as if hearing the Sheriffs’ complaints in advance, starts out by stating Georgia’s opposition to recreational marijuana.
THC Potency Is Reduced In Georgia’s Medical Marijuana Law
Low THC oil contains less than 5 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) – the hallucinogenic compound that give people the reported “high” that makes the drug sought after for recreational uses. Legalized marijuana can range from 18 to 27 percent in those states that allow it. The key ingredient in medical marijuana that creates verified medicinal results is called cannabidiol, or CBD.
Georgia’s law is in line with several other states that require a lower THC potency of the medicinal substance. Many other states have medical marijuana programs that do not significantly restrict the potency of the compound. Most patients to speak on the subject have claimed that they are satisfied and relieved that they can now have ready access to the drug in Georgia. At present, there are over 9,000 persons registered for medical use of the oil. It is expected that there will be a rapid increase in that number with the advent of accessibility.
State Commission Will Regulate Production and Distribution of Marijuana
The provision for six companies to be given potentially lucrative contracts may open a bidding war for those spots. The company can apparently originate out-of-state but the law provides standards to make jobs and ownership positions available to women, minorities and economically deprived persons.
The Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, which will consist of seven members, is likely to be a prestigious body going forward. It will decide who gets licenses to produce and distribute the low-THC oil and will generally oversee the whole process to assure that the drug is not getting into illegal channels.
Importantly, the law standardizes a process for patients to obtain the oil. The drug has been approved for use with a variety of illnesses, including Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Multiple sclerosis, autism, post-traumatic stress disorder, epilepsy, appetite loss, nausea, various pain syndromes and other maladies. Scientifically controlled tests have established its efficacy in repetitive trials over recent decades. The value of the drug in treating cancer and other major killers is emerging as a cutting-edge area where striking results are being discovered.
The challenge going forward in Georgia is whether there will be uniform and effective control and regulation by the designated authorities. If that job is done well, we are likely to see the program become a positive, recognized asset to Georgia’s quality of life.